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How accurately are household surveys measuring the size and inequalities for the LGBT population in Bogotá, Colombia? Evidence from a list experiment

Author

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  • Andrés Ham
  • Ángela Guarín
  • Juanita Ruiz

Abstract

This paper studies whether household surveys precisely identify the LGBT population and are suitable to measure labor market discrimination in Colombia. We first quantify the size of the LGBT population and estimate labor market inequalities from household survey data, highlighting potential pitfalls from using this approach. We then present findings from a list experiment in Bogotá, Colombia. Results show that household surveys underestimate the size of the LGBT population and may yield biased estimates of labor market inequalities. While survey estimates range between 1-4%, we find that LGBT people constitutes around 12-22% of the total population. We find heterogeneous reporting by sex, age groups, educational attainment, and marital status. Our findings suggest that while current measurement practices are a step forward for the LGBT population’s statistical visibility, additional steps are required before household surveys may be used to consistently estimate discrimination and guide policy responses to protect this population. ****** Este trabajo estudia si las encuestas de hogares están identificando con precisión a la población LGBT en Colombia y, por lo tanto, si son adecuadas para medir su bienestar y experiencias de discriminación en diferentes ámbitos, incluido el mercado laboral. Primero, cuantificamos el tamano de la población LGBT y estimamos las desigualdades en el mercado laboral usando datos de encuestas de hogares, resaltando las posibles limitaciones de usar esta aproximación. Después, llevamos a cabo un experimento de lista en Bogotá, ciudad capital. Nuestros resultados muestran que en las encuestas de hogares hay un subreporte en el tamano de la población LGBT, lo cual puede arrojar estimaciones sesgadas de las desigualdades en el mercado laboral. Con la metodología de las encuestas de hogares, calculamos que el tamano de la población LGBT oscila entre el 1-4 %, mientras nuestros resultados sugieren que el tamano de la población LGBT se encuentra entre 12-22 % para Bogotá. Encontramos, además, resultados heterogéneos por sexo, edad, nivel educativo y estado civil. Nuestros resultados sugieren que, si bien ha habido avances considerables en la visibilidad estadística de la población LGBT, es necesario tomar acciones adicionales para que las encuestas de hogares puedan medir de manera consistente esta población, sus experiencias de discriminación y, de esa manera, guiar respuestas de política pública.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés Ham & Ángela Guarín & Juanita Ruiz, 2023. "How accurately are household surveys measuring the size and inequalities for the LGBT population in Bogotá, Colombia? Evidence from a list experiment," Documentos de trabajo 20777, Escuela de Gobierno - Universidad de los Andes.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000547:020777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Agüero, Jorge M. & Frisancho, Verónica, 2017. "Misreporting in Sensitive Health Behaviors and Its Impact on Treatment Effects: An Application to Intimate Partner Violence," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 8696, Inter-American Development Bank.
    2. Ben Jann, 2008. "The Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition for linear regression models," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 8(4), pages 453-479, December.
    3. Chuang, Erica & Dupas, Pascaline & Huillery, Elise & Seban, Juliette, 2021. "Sex, lies, and measurement: Consistency tests for indirect response survey methods," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    LGBT population; measurement; discrimination; household surveys; list experiment.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J70 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - General

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