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The Nonlinear Link between Height and Wages: An Empirical Investigation

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Author Info
Olaf Hübler () (University of Hannover, IAB Nürnberg and IZA Bonn)

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Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between individual wages and height using the German Socio-Economic Panel where five hypotheses are tested. Some explanations of a positive link exist and empirical studies confirm this hypothesis. In contrast to previous investigations which are only based on a linear effect this paper finds that the individual height effects on wages are curvilinear. During the considered period from 1985 to 2004 we observe a slightly nonlinear falling trend. After controlling for time effects a nonlinear relationship between individual height and wages remains with a maximum below the average height for females and above the average for males. We detect endowment and discrimination influences. The latter are firstly due to employer discrimination and secondarily less likely due to customer discrimination.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in its series IZA Discussion Papers with number 2394.

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Length: 24 pages
Date of creation: Oct 2006
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp2394

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Related research
Keywords: height wages nonlinear cyclical effects discrimination

Other versions of this item:

Find related papers by JEL classification:
J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities and Races; Non-labor Discrimination
J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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    Other versions:
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  15. Juhn, Chinhui & Murphy, Kevin M & Pierce, Brooks, 1993. "Wage Inequality and the Rise in Returns to Skill," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 101(3), pages 410-42, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  1. Johansson, Edvard & Böckerman, Petri & Kiiskinen, Urpo & Heliövaara, Markku, 2007. "The Effect of Obesity on Wages and Employment: The Difference Between Having a High BMI and Being Fat," Working Papers 528, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration. [Downloadable!]
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