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The origins of the gender pay gap: education and job characteristics

Author

Listed:
  • Gulia Bovini

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Marta De Philippis

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Lucia Rizzica

    (Bank of Italy)

Abstract

This paper analyses the role that field of study choices and firm and job characteristics play in explaining gender pay gaps among university graduates at the beginning of their careers. We exploit a unique administrative population-wide dataset for Italy. We find that choices of university majors alone explain almost 60 per cent of the early career gender pay gap, since women tend to graduate in fields that give access to lower-paying firms and jobs. Sorting across firms and jobs only accounts for 20 per cent of the gap, indicating that its role is largely mediated by field specialization choices made while still in education.

Suggested Citation

  • Gulia Bovini & Marta De Philippis & Lucia Rizzica, 2024. "The origins of the gender pay gap: education and job characteristics," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1470, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_1470_24
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    File URL: https://www.bancaditalia.it/pubblicazioni/temi-discussione/2024/2024-1470/en_tema_1470.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Barigozzi, Francesca & Domínguez, José J. & Montinari, Natalia, 2024. "Entering a gender-neutral workplace? College students’ expectations and the impact of information provision," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    3. Tindara Addabbo & Chiara Mussida, 2025. "Inequalities in Talents’ Earnings: A Tale of Two European Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 180(2), pages 569-588, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • J82 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Labor Force Composition

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