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Pretty unequal? Immigrant-native differences in returns to physical attractiveness in Germany

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  • Hellyer, Joshua
  • Hellriegel, Emily
  • Gereke, Johanna
  • Schunck, Reinhard

Abstract

How do the economic returns to physical attractiveness vary between immigrants and natives? Despite a growing literature on the beauty premium, previous scholarship has not examined whether the size of this premium might vary according to immigrant status, an important axis of social stratification in European societies. We study this question in the German labor market using longitudinal data from a large, randomly drawn nationwide sample that includes interviewer ratings of respondents’ physical attractiveness. Results from a multiverse analysis provide strong evidence of a beauty premium for native German men and women. However, we find mixed results for ethnic minority groups. These results highlight how perceived physical attractiveness is linked to labor market stratification.

Suggested Citation

  • Hellyer, Joshua & Hellriegel, Emily & Gereke, Johanna & Schunck, Reinhard, 2023. "Pretty unequal? Immigrant-native differences in returns to physical attractiveness in Germany," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 107-119.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:215:y:2023:i:c:p:107-119
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.09.012
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Beauty premium; Physical attractiveness; Labor market; Ethnic inequality; Multiverse analysis; Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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