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Money and gender: Proxy respondents and the mismeasurement of income in surveys

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  • Estrada, Ricardo
  • Goyheix, Daniela
  • Lombardi, María

Abstract

When sampled individuals are not found at home, many surveys rely on a proxy respondent: another knowledgeable household member. We study the effect of proxy reporting on the measurement of labor income in Mexico. For identification, we use the panel structure of the Mexican labor force survey and compare workers’ reported earnings when they report them themselves to their reported earnings when another household member does the reporting. We find that male workers’ monthly earnings are 7.2% lower when reported by a proxy, whereas female workers’ earnings are only 1.8% lower. We provide evidence that this gender gap reflects both compositional effects, linked to men’s higher earnings, and household informational asymmetries, partly driven by men’s greater propensity to hide income from other household members. Finally, we study the implications of using proxy respondents and find that it can lead to an underestimation of the gender wage gap by 25%.

Suggested Citation

  • Estrada, Ricardo & Goyheix, Daniela & Lombardi, María, 2027. "Money and gender: Proxy respondents and the mismeasurement of income in surveys," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:184:y:2027:i:c:s0304387826001628
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2026.103879
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    JEL classification:

    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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