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Gender earnings gaps in Hong Kong: Empirical evidence from across the earnings distribution in 2006

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  • Ge, Yuhao
  • Li, Hongbin
  • Zhang, Junsen

Abstract

This paper analyzes gender earnings gaps in Hong Kong using the 2006 by-census data. To explore the sources of gender earnings gaps, we decompose the gaps using the method proposed by Machado and Mata (2005). We have three major findings. First, gender earnings gaps are larger both in lower positions and in higher positions in the earnings distribution. Both the "glass ceiling effect" and the "sticky floor effect" exist in Hong Kong. Second, gender earnings gaps in higher positions are much explained by gender differentials in productivity-related characteristics; however, gender earnings gaps in lower positions are barely explained by these characteristics. Third, the effect of occupational segregation on gender earnings gaps depends on specific positions in the earnings distribution. In lower positions, occupational segregation is not a big problem and has little impact on gender earnings gaps; in higher positions, however, occupational segregation favors male workers and enlarges gender earnings gaps.

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  • Ge, Yuhao & Li, Hongbin & Zhang, Junsen, 2011. "Gender earnings gaps in Hong Kong: Empirical evidence from across the earnings distribution in 2006," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 151-164, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:22:y:2011:i:1:p:151-164
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    2. Rath, Abigail A. & Lau, Eric HY. & Schooling, C Mary, 2022. "The impact of the minimum wage on suicide rates in Hong Kong," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    3. Tushar Agrawal, 2013. "Are There Glass-Ceiling and Sticky-Floor Effects in India? An Empirical Examination," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(3), pages 322-342, September.
    4. Cho, Joonmo & Lee, Tai & Jung, Hanna, 2014. "Glass ceiling in a stratified labor market: Evidence from Korea," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 56-70.
    5. Qiao Wang, 2023. "Does the Chinese labour force make sufficient efforts? Empirical evidence using non‐parametric analysis," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 3262-3280, July.
    6. Rahmah Ismail & Maryam Farhadi & Chung‐Khain Wye, 2017. "Occupational Segregation and Gender Wage Differentials: Evidence from Malaysia," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 31(4), pages 381-401, December.
    7. T T Nguyen-Huu, 2023. "Wage inequality associated with job status: Evidence from Indonesia and the Philippines," Economic Issues Journal Articles, Economic Issues, vol. 28(1), pages 57-79, March.
    8. Ou, Dongshu & Kondo, Ayako, 2012. "Immigrants and Earnings Inequality: Evidence from Hong Kong," MPRA Paper 39673, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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