The Nonlinear Link between Height and Wages: An Empirical Investigation

Olaf Hübler

No 2394, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This article investigates the relationship between individual wages and height using the German Socio-Economic Panel where five hypotheses are tested. Some explanations of a positive link exist and empirical studies confirm this hypothesis. In contrast to previous investigations which are only based on a linear effect this paper finds that the individual height effects on wages are curvilinear. During the considered period from 1985 to 2004 we observe a slightly nonlinear falling trend. After controlling for time effects a nonlinear relationship between individual height and wages remains with a maximum below the average height for females and above the average for males. We detect endowment and discrimination influences. The latter are firstly due to employer discrimination and secondarily less likely due to customer discrimination.

Keywords: discrimination; wages; nonlinear; height; cyclical effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J15 J31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24 pages
Date: 2006-10
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published - published in: Economics and Human Biology, 2009, 7 (2), 191-199

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