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Wage structures in the private and public sectors in West Germany

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  • Christian Dustmann

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University College London)

  • Arthur Van Soest

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate pay structures in the private and public sectors for West Germany. We commence by describing some basic features of the public sector. We use micro-data from the German Socio-Economic Panel for the years 1984-93 to analyse developments and differences in public and private sector wage distributions for both males and females. We break wages down into different education groups and age-groups, and use regressions to construct conditional wage differentials. Our results differ in many aspects from findings for the UK. For instance, we find that although mean wages are higher in the public sector for both males and females, conditional wages are higher in the private sector for all education groups for males, but higher in the public sector for females.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Dustmann & Arthur Van Soest, 1997. "Wage structures in the private and public sectors in West Germany," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 18(3), pages 225-247, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:ifs:fistud:v:18:y:1997:i:3:p:225-247
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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