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Gender gaps in skills and labor market outcomes: evidence from the PIAAC

Author

Listed:
  • Yolanda F. Rebollo-Sanz

    (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Sara Rica

    (Universidad del País Vasco, ISEAK)

Abstract

Our paper makes the first attempt to address the empirical relationRicship between cognitive skills and gender gaps in labor market performance. We do so in a cross-country setting. To that end we use the PIAAC dataset, which contains information on OECD and non-OECD economies. Firstly, we document the existence of gender gaps in cognitive skills for numeracy, which are found to be around 2.5–4.6% and increase with age. These gaps remain even when comparing men and women within the same level and field of study. Next, we document sizable gender gaps in labor market outcomes, such as Labor Force Participation and hourly wages—around 18%, increase with age and rise remarkably for parents. Math skills are positively and strongly associated with these two labor market outcomes and its contribution to explain gender gaps, although significant, is limited—between 10 15% at most—in particular for parents.

Suggested Citation

  • Yolanda F. Rebollo-Sanz & Sara Rica, 2022. "Gender gaps in skills and labor market outcomes: evidence from the PIAAC," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 333-371, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:20:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11150-020-09523-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-020-09523-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dominique Meurs & Ariane Pailhe & Sophie Ponthieux, 2010. "Child-related Career Interruptions and the Gender Wage Gap in France," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 99-100, pages 15-46.
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    8. Glenda Quintini, 2014. "Skills at Work: How Skills and their Use Matter in the Labour Market," OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers 158, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonas Jessen & Lavinia Kinne & Michele Battisti, 2024. "Child Penalties in Labour Market Skills," CEPA Discussion Papers 81, Center for Economic Policy Analysis.
    2. David Dorn & Florian Schoner & Moritz Seebacher & Lisa Simon & Ludger Woessmann, 2024. "Multidimensional Skills on LinkedIn Profiles: Measuring Human Capital and the Gender Skill Gap," Papers 2409.18638, arXiv.org, revised May 2025.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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