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Economic outcomes of gender diverse people: New evidence from linked administrative data in New Zealand

Author

Listed:
  • Carpenter, Christopher S.
  • Kirkpatrick, Linda
  • Lee, Maxine J.
  • Plum, Alexander

Abstract

We provide new evidence on the economic outcomes of transgender and gender diverse people in New Zealand (NZ) using confidential linked administrative data from driver license records – which identify gender diverse people since 2021 – linked to NZ birth and tax records. We document that gender diverse people are younger than both transgender and cisgender people but are more highly educated than transgender people. Relative to otherwise similar cisgender men, we find large employment and earnings penalties for transgender and gender diverse people. Earnings gaps for gender diverse individuals are especially large.

Suggested Citation

  • Carpenter, Christopher S. & Kirkpatrick, Linda & Lee, Maxine J. & Plum, Alexander, 2025. "Economic outcomes of gender diverse people: New evidence from linked administrative data in New Zealand," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:247:y:2025:i:c:s0165176524006396
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2024.112155
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. V. Lee Badgett & Christopher S. Carpenter & Maxine J. Lee & Dario Sansone, 2024. "A Review of the Economics of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 62(3), pages 948-994, September.
    2. Geijtenbeek, Lydia & Plug, Erik, 2018. "Is there a penalty for registered women? Is there a premium for registered men? Evidence from a sample of transsexual workers," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 334-347.
    3. Carpenter, Christopher S. & Lee, Maxine J. & Nettuno, Laura, 2022. "Economic Outcomes for Transgender People and Other Gender Minorities in the United States: First Estimates from a Nationally Representative Sample," IZA Discussion Papers 15116, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Christopher S. Carpenter & Maxine J. Lee & Laura Nettuno, 2022. "Economic outcomes for transgender people and other gender minorities in the United States: First estimates from a nationally representative sample," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 89(2), pages 280-304, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transgender; Gender diverse; Employment; Earnings; Linked administrative data; New Zealand;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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