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Ageism against women in hiring: Evidence from online-platform experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Kotyrlo, E.

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University), Moscow, Russia)

  • Mun, M.

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University), Moscow, Russia
    St. Petersburg State University, Research)

Abstract

We study age discrimination against women in hiring. We discuss features of hiring via online recruitment platform. We also discuss limitations in interpreting the results of correspondence study experiment using three fictitious resumes presenting female applicants aged 26, 37, and 48 years old. Based on the data of 600 applications, we confirm the presence of age discrimination against the oldest group. An experiment illustrates our arguments. We employ net discrimination coefficients and the linear probability model describing the probability of positive response. We also propose an approach to assess discrimination in the wage offer, hypothesizing endogeneity of callback and using instrumental variables. We find that age discrimination is manifested in 22-23 per cent lower rate of callbacks received by the 48-year-old applicant compared to 26-year-old candidate and by 14 per cent compared to 37-year-old one. Discrimination against the eldest group is manifested in longer callback period, as well as in wage offers similar to those for the least experienced applicant. However, the instrumental variables approach does not confirm a relationship between the callback rate and the wage offer for an applicant. Therefore, our results do not confirm the prerequisite that one of the applicants receives offers with higher wage more or less often.

Suggested Citation

  • Kotyrlo, E. & Mun, M., 2025. "Ageism against women in hiring: Evidence from online-platform experiment," Journal of the New Economic Association, New Economic Association, vol. 69(4), pages 133-149.
    • Handle: RePEc:nea:journl:y:2025:i:69:p:133-149
    DOI: 10.31737/22212264_2025_4_133-149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • C26 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation

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