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Racial wage differentials in developed countries

Author

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  • Simonetta Longhi

    (University of Reading, UK, and IZA, Germany)

Abstract

In many developed countries, racial and ethnic minorities are paid, on average, less than the native white majority. While racial wage differentials are partly the result of immigration, they also persist for racial minorities of second and further generations. Eliminating racial wage differentials and promoting equal opportunities among citizens with different racial backgrounds is an important social policy goal. Inequalities resulting from differences in opportunities lead to a waste of talent for those who cannot reach their potential and to a waste of resources if some people cannot contribute fully to society.

Suggested Citation

  • Simonetta Longhi, 2017. "Racial wage differentials in developed countries," World of Labour, LISER, pages 365-365, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:2017:n:365
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Islam, Asad & Pakrashi, Debayan & Sahoo, Soubhagya & Wang, Liang Choon & Zenou, Yves, 2021. "Gender inequality and caste: Field experimental evidence from India," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 111-124.
    3. Muhammad Asali, 2021. "Gender and ethnic wage differentials inhibit growth: A shred of evidence," Working Papers 002-21, International School of Economics at TSU, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia.
    4. Forth, John & Theodoropoulos, Nikolaos, 2022. "Earnings Discrimination in the Workplace," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1110, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    5. Simonetta Longhi, 2025. "Success stories and continuing challenges: A longitudinal analysis of gender-ethnic wage gaps in the UK," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 2507, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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