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Hiring discrimination across vulnerable groups

Author

Listed:
  • Louis Lippens

    (Ghent University and Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO))

  • Stijn Baert

    (Ghent University and IZA, Germany)

  • Brecht Neyt

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

Over the past decades, academics worldwide have conducted experiments with fictitious job applications to measure discrimination in hiring. This discrimination leads to underutilization of labor market potential and higher unemployment rates for individuals from vulnerable groups. Collectively, the insights from the published research suggest that three groups face more discrimination than ethnic minorities: people with disabilities, less physically attractive people, and older people. The discrimination found in Western economies generally persists across countries and is stable over time, although some variation exists.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis Lippens & Stijn Baert & Brecht Neyt, 2025. "Hiring discrimination across vulnerable groups," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 515-515, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:2025:n:515
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    File URL: https://wol.iza.org/articles/hiring-discrimination-across-vulnerable-groups
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    discrimination; labor market; hiring; experimental economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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