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The Structure of Wages in the Netherlands, 1986–98

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  • Bas Ter Weel

Abstract

. For many OECD countries an increase in wage inequality has been documented since the early 1980s. This is often attributed to a general rise in the demand for skilled workers resulting from recent technological change. Using the Organization for Strategic Labour Market Research (OSA) Labour Supply data, this paper studies the wage structure in the Netherlands over the period 1986–98 and demonstrates that wage inequality did not increase to any significant extent in the Netherlands. Using the accounting framework proposed by Juhn et al. (Journal of Political Economy 101: 410–442, 1993), it is shown that the relatively stable wage structure until at least the late 1990s can be attributed mainly to returns to observable components, such as education and experience, while residual wage inequality is found to be of minor importance in explaining the Dutch wage structure. These estimates suggest that the demand for skill in the Netherlands is likely not to have been rising to the extent it did in many other countries over this period.

Suggested Citation

  • Bas Ter Weel, 2003. "The Structure of Wages in the Netherlands, 1986–98," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 17(3), pages 361-382, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:labour:v:17:y:2003:i:3:p:361-382
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-9914.00244
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    1. İ. Akçomak & Lex Borghans & Bas Weel, 2011. "Measuring and Interpreting Trends in the Division of Labour in the Netherlands," De Economist, Springer, vol. 159(4), pages 435-482, December.
    2. Lex Borghans & Ben Kriechel, 2009. "Wage Structure and Labor Mobility in The Netherlands, 1999-2003," NBER Chapters, in: The Structure of Wages: An International Comparison, pages 125-148, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Hamermesh, Daniel S. & Pfann, Gerard A., 2022. "The variability and volatility of sleep: An ARCHetypal behavior," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    4. de Bresser, Jochem, 2021. "Evaluating the Accuracy of Counterfactuals The Role of Heterogeneous Expectations in Life Cycle Models," Discussion Paper 2021-034, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    5. Iris Klinker & Bas ter Weel, 2024. "Wages and employment in the Netherlands, 2017-2023," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 24-042/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    6. Klinker, Iris & ter Weel, Bas, 2024. "Wages and Employment in the Netherlands, 2017-2023," IZA Discussion Papers 17049, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. de Bresser, Jochem, 2021. "Evaluating the Accuracy of Counterfactuals The Role of Heterogeneous Expectations in Life Cycle Models," Other publications TiSEM a7e2b4d8-fed0-4e86-926f-d, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    8. Stefan Groot & Henri de Groot, 2011. "Wage inequality in the Netherlands: Evidence, trends and explanations," CPB Discussion Paper 186, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.

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