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Trends in Wage Inequality in the Netherlands

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  • Colja Schneck

    (Maastricht University)

Abstract

In this paper I analyze changes in the wage distribution in the Netherlands. I use a matched employer-employee dataset that covers the population of employees. Wage inequality increases over the period of 2001–2016. Changes in between-firm wage components are responsible for nearly the entire increase. Increases in the variance of workers’ skills and increases in worker sorting and worker segregation explain the majority of the rise in the variance of wages. These changes are accompanied by a pattern where variation in educational degree and firm average wages become more correlated over time. Finally, it is suggested that labor market institutions in the Netherlands play an important role in mediating overall wage inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Colja Schneck, 2021. "Trends in Wage Inequality in the Netherlands," De Economist, Springer, vol. 169(3), pages 253-289, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:decono:v:169:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10645-021-09388-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10645-021-09388-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Iris Klinker & Bas ter Weel, 2024. "Wages and employment in the Netherlands, 2017-2023," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 24-042/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    2. Klinker, Iris & ter Weel, Bas, 2024. "Wages and Employment in the Netherlands, 2017-2023," IZA Discussion Papers 17049, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Sabien Dobbelaere & Dániel Prinz & Grace McCormack & Sándor Sóvágó, 2022. "Firm consolidation and labor market outcomes," IFS Working Papers W22/45, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    4. Saskia Boumans, 2024. "Employer Discretion: The Role of Collective Agreements in the Liberalization of Industrial Relations," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 77(2), pages 227-250, March.
    5. Iris Klinker & Bas Weel, 2024. "Wages and Employment in the Netherlands, 2017–2023," De Economist, Springer, vol. 172(3), pages 233-256, September.
    6. Eric Bartelsman & Sabien Dobbelaere & Alessandro Zona Mattioli, 2024. "Non-Compete Agreements, Tacit Knowledge and Market Imperfections," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 24-055/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    7. Bartelsman, Eric & Dobbelaere, Sabien & Mattioli, Alessandro Zona, 2024. "Non-compete Agreements, Tacit Knowledge and Market Imperfections," IZA Discussion Papers 17260, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wage inequality; Pay inequality; Between-firm inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J40 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - General

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