German stagnation vs. Swedish progression: Gender wage gaps in comparison, 1960-2006

Arbeitspapier

This article provides a comparative analysis of the development of the gender wage gap in West Germany and Sweden during the period 1960-2006. Despite the economic similarities including broad social safety nets, the gap has developed differently since 1960. This analysis accounts for micro- and macroeconomic factors and politics and concludes that norms and traditions penetrate institutional settings and ensnare Germany in a cultural trap with regard to gender equality. While Sweden has moved to a two-earner model, German society expects mothers to stay at home. The micro analysis shows that family concerns (e.g., marriage and motherhood) decrease female income in Germany to a far greater extent than do such factors in Sweden, which can be explained in part by deeply held social attitudes.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: LIS Working Paper Series ; No. 586

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: Europe: 1913- ; Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination ; Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs ; Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
• Subject: culture ; gender wage gap ; Germany ; Sweden ; welfare state ; Lohnstruktur ; Mikrodaten ; Deutschland ; Schweden

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Gärtner, Svenja
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Luxembourg Income Study (LIS)
• (where): Luxembourg
• (when): 2013

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/95474
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET