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Beauty, wages, and client discrimination among male employees in China

Author

Listed:
  • Mingjie Liu

    (China Unicom Research Institute)

  • Emiko Usui

    (Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University)

  • Ting Yin

    (Faculty of Economics, Toyo University)

  • Wenjun Zhao

    (Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University)

Abstract

Using unique data from the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS), this study investigates whether clients tend to discriminate based on the appearance of male employees, a phenomenon referred to as “client discrimination on the basis of beauty.” We find that (i) attractive male employees are more likely to work in jobs with frequent client contact than their less attractive counterparts, and (ii) a beauty wage premium is paid in such jobs. These results indicate beauty-based client discrimination in a situation where job segregation by appearance is incomplete.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingjie Liu & Emiko Usui & Ting Yin & Wenjun Zhao, 2025. "Beauty, wages, and client discrimination among male employees in China," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 45(4), pages 1860-1866.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-25-00259
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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