Livanos, Ilias and Pouliakas, Konstantinos. (2012) Educational segregation and the gender wage gap in Greece. Journal of Economic Studies, Vol.39 (No.5). pp. 554-575. ISSN 1758-7387

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Abstract

Purpose To investigate the extent to which differences in the subject of degree studied by male and female university graduates contributes to the gender pay gap in Greece, an EU country with historically large gender discrepancies in earnings and occupational segregation. In addition, to explore the reasons underlying the distinct educational choices of men and women, with particular emphasis on the role of wage uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach Using micro-data from the Greek Labour Force Survey (LFS), Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions are employed to detect the extent to which gender differences in the type of degree studied can explain the male-female pay gap. ‘Risk-augmented earnings functions’ are also used to examine the differential wage premiums offered to men and women in Greece in response to the uncertainty associated with different fields of study. Findings It is found that the subjects in which women are relatively over-represented (e.g. Education, Humanities) are also those with the lowest wage returns. Gender differences in the type of degree studied can therefore explain an additional 8.4% of the male-female pay gap in Greece. A potential reason for distinct gender educational choices is that women opt for less uncertain educations that consequently command lower wage premiums in the job market. Practical Implications The findings suggest that the promotion of gender equality in Greece should pay closer attention to removing informal barriers to entry for women in educational fields traditionally chosen by men (e.g. more effective careers advice, work-experience placements, matching of young girls with professional ‘mentors’). Originality/value The study is the first to investigate the contribution of individual’s field of study to the gender wage gap in Greece. In addition, it includes the first-ever estimations of ‘risk-augmented earnings equations’ for that country.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute for Employment Research
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Degrees, Academic -- Sex differences -- Greece, College graduates -- Sex differences -- Greece, Wages -- Sex differences -- Greece
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Economic Studies
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:	1758-7387
Date:	September 2012
Volume:	Vol.39
Number:	No.5
Page Range:	pp. 554-575
Identification Number:	10.1108/01443581211259473
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/37581

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