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From gender gaps in skills to gender gaps in wages: Evidence from PIAAC

Author

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  • Yolanda F. Rebollo-Sanz

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pablo de Olavide;)

  • Sara de la Rica

    (Department of Economics, Universidad del País Vasco;)

Abstract

Our paper makes the first attempt using a cross-national perspective, to address the impact of skills in the analysis of gender gaps in labor market performance. To that end we use the OECD´s PIAAC dataset, which contains information on OECD and non OECD economies. Firstly, we document that there are gender gaps in cognitive skills for numeracy, which are found to be around 3-4% and to increase with age. Next, we show that gender gaps in math skills are crucial to understanding a substantial proportion of the gender gaps observed in labor market outcomes. In particular, the higher math skills exhibited by males explain 45% of the gender gap in labor force participation for young workers and 29% for workers aged 30-39. Finally, gender differences in math skills help to explain 40% of the gender wage gap observed. That impact increases from entry age to 30-39 (motherhood age), as we find that math skills explain 44% of the gender wage gap observed for young workers and as much as 55% for workers aged 30-39. .

Suggested Citation

  • Yolanda F. Rebollo-Sanz & Sara de la Rica, 2020. "From gender gaps in skills to gender gaps in wages: Evidence from PIAAC," Working Papers 20.09, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pab:wpaper:20.09
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. David H. Autor & Michael J. Handel, 2013. "Putting Tasks to the Test: Human Capital, Job Tasks, and Wages," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 31(S1), pages 59-96.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jana Bischler & Eva-Maria Egger & Paul Jasper & Ivan Manhique, 2022. "Determinants of gender gaps in youth employment in urban Mozambique," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-164, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender wage gap; gender gap in labor force; cognitive skills; PIACC;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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