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You're the One That I Want! Understanding the Overrepresentation of Women in the Public Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Gomes
  • Zoë Kuehn

Abstract

The public sector hires disproportionally more women than men. Using microdata, we document gender differences in employment, transition probabilities, hours, and wages in the public and private sector. We calibrate a search and matching model where men and women decide whether to participate and whether to enter public or private sector labor markets. We quantify how much of the selection of women into the public sector is driven by (i) lower gender wage gaps, (ii) fewer hours, (iii) greater job security, or (iv) intrinsic preferences. Preferences and wages explain most of the overrepresentation, with significant variations across countries and educational groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Gomes & Zoë Kuehn, 2026. "You're the One That I Want! Understanding the Overrepresentation of Women in the Public Sector," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 18(2), pages 227-259, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmac:v:18:y:2026:i:2:p:227-59
    DOI: 10.1257/mac.20210005
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets

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