The gender wage gap among PhD holders: an empirical examination based on Italian data

Arbeitspapier

A growing number of academic studies are devoting their attention to the study of the gender wage gap. This paper contributes to the literature by analyzing the existence of this gap specifically among those who hold the highest possible educational qualification, i.e. a PhD. The analysis relies on Italian crosssectional data collected through a highly representative survey of the employment conditions of PhD holders. The econometric analysis is carried out by means of OLS regression, Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis and quantile decomposition. Findings suggest that a gender gap in hourly wages exists among PhD holders, that it lies approximately between 5% and 8%, with sizeable differences by sector of employment and field of specialization, and that such a gap is largely unexplained.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: GLO Discussion Paper ; No. 393

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials ; Labor Discrimination
• Subject: gender wage gap ; return on education ; Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition ; quantile decomposition

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Alfano, Vincenzo ; Cicatiello, Lorenzo ; Gaeta, Giuseppe Lucio ; Pinto, Mauro
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Global Labor Organization (GLO)
• (where): Essen
• (when): 2019

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/202641
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET