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Overeducation, Earnings and Job Satisfaction among Graduates in China

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  • Jones, Melanie K.

    (Cardiff University)

  • Kaya, Ezgi

    (Cardiff University)

  • Nan, Jiarui

    (University of Sheffield)

Abstract

Exploiting rich nationally representative longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies this paper explores the relationship between overeducation, earnings and job satisfaction among graduates in China. We find consistent evidence, across multiple measures of overeducation, of wage and job satisfaction penalties that are not explained by personal and work-related characteristics. Despite attention within the literature, we find a modest role for differences in academic subject and, cognitive and non-cognitive skills as drivers of these penalties. In contrast, controlling for time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity reduces the size and, in many cases, removes the statistical significance of overeducation penalties, aligned to the importance of other unobserved individual heterogeneity.

Suggested Citation

  • Jones, Melanie K. & Kaya, Ezgi & Nan, Jiarui, 2024. "Overeducation, Earnings and Job Satisfaction among Graduates in China," IZA Discussion Papers 17161, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17161
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    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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