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Decomposing the language pay gap among the indigenous ethnic minorities of Mexico: is it all down to observables?

Author

Listed:
  • Adriana Aguilar-Rodriguez

    (Center for Research in Geospacial Information Science (CentroGeo) & PANEL, Mexico)

  • Alfonso Miranda

    (Economics Division & PANEL, Centre for Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE), Mexico)

  • Yu Zhu

    (Economic Studies, University of Dundee)

Abstract

Using the decomposition methods of Oaxaca and Choe (2016), we investigate the pay gap between indigenous language monolinguals (INL) and Spanish-indigenous-language bilinguals (BIL) among indigenous ethnic minorities in Mexico using the 10% sample of the Mexican Census 2000 and 2010. The decomposition fits linear models with municipal fixed effects for the case of males and correlated random effects Heckman sample selection models for the case of females (to account for potential sample selection bias). We find evidence of a positive return to bilingualism for males of 17% and of 42% for females. Over 60% of the pay gap is explained by differences in observable characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Aguilar-Rodriguez & Alfonso Miranda & Yu Zhu, 2018. "Decomposing the language pay gap among the indigenous ethnic minorities of Mexico: is it all down to observables?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 38(2), pages 689-695.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-18-00123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Oaxaca, Ronald L. & Choe, Chung, 2016. "Wage Decompositions Using Panel Data Sample Selection Correction," IZA Discussion Papers 10157, IZA Network @ LISER.
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    8. Chiswick, Barry R & Patrinos, Harry Anthony & Hurst, Michael E, 2000. "Indigenous Language Skills and the Labor Market in a Developing Economy: Bolivia," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 48(2), pages 349-367, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eva O. Arceo-Gomez & Pedro J. Torres L., 2021. "Brechas salariales por autoidentificacion indigena y rasgos lingüisticos en Mexico," Sobre México. Revista de Economía, Sobre México. Temas en economía, vol. 1(3), pages 129-161.
    2. Paloma Villagómez-Ornelas & Luis Monroy-Gómez-Franco, 2021. "Economic Inequality meets Social Stratification: An Application of Stratification Economics to Mexico," Papers 2021_03, Centro de Estudios Espinosa Yglesias.
    3. Luis Monroy‐Gómez‐Franco & Paloma Villagómez‐Ornelas, 2024. "Stratification economics in the land of persistent inequalities," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 83(1), pages 157-175, January.
    4. Monroy-Gómez-Franco, Luis, 2023. "Shades of social mobility: Colorism, ethnic origin and intergenerational social mobility," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 247-266.

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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