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Does Type of Degree Explain Taiwan's Gender Gap?

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  • Jessica L. Baraka

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Research in the U.S. shows that differences between the sexes in college major explain a substantial portion of the gender gap in wages, and that shifts toward a more equal sex composition in choice of major have led to a decrease in the gap. In this paper, I examine whether a similar phenomenon has occurred in Taiwan. From the 1960's through the 1980?s, the government of Taiwan attempted to increase the proportion of vocational/technical degrees as a percentage of all degrees held by its citizens. Using data from Taiwan's annual Manpower Utilization Survey, I find that the government was quite successful in encouraging people to pursue vocational education. In addition, I find that the type of degree a person receives may be as important to his or her earnings as his or her education level. However, the importance of degree type varies by gender, having a more substantial impact on earnings for men than for women. Consistent with the U.S. literature, I find that degree type does little to explain the overall gender gap in earnings in Taiwan, but may explain a substantial portion of the gap in a sample limited to university graduates.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica L. Baraka, 1999. "Does Type of Degree Explain Taiwan's Gender Gap?," Working Papers 220, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:rpdevs:baraka_degree_type.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paglin, Morton & Rufolo, Anthony M, 1990. "Heterogeneous Human Capital, Occupational Choice, and Male-Female Earnings Differences," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(1), pages 123-144, January.
    2. Oaxaca, Ronald, 1973. "Male-Female Wage Differentials in Urban Labor Markets," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 14(3), pages 693-709, October.
    3. Joseph G. Altonji, 1995. "The Effects of High School Curriculum on Education and Labor Market Outcomes," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 30(3), pages 409-438.
    4. Linda Datcher Loury, 1997. "The Gender Earnings Gap among College-Educated Workers," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 50(4), pages 580-593, July.
    5. repec:pri:rpdevs:baraka_gender_gap is not listed on IDEAS
    6. repec:pri:rpdevs:baraka_education_taiwan is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Alan S. Blinder, 1973. "Wage Discrimination: Reduced Form and Structural Estimates," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 8(4), pages 436-455.
    8. Hay Woo, Jennie, 1991. "Education and economic growth in Taiwan: A case of successful planning," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 19(8), pages 1029-1044, August.
    9. Jessica L. Baraka, 1999. "Returns to Education in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional and Cohort Analysis," Working Papers 222, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    10. Jessica L. Baraka, 1999. "The Gap Remains: Gender and Earnings in Taiwan," Working Papers 221, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Research Program in Development Studies..
    11. Eric Eide, 1994. "College Major Choice And Changes In The Gender Wage Gap," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 12(2), pages 55-64, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Taiwan;

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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