Intersectional differences in the income returns to education

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test whether there are intersectional differences in the effect of education on income in the Netherlands. In this study we looked at the intersection of gender and migration background. Drawing from Human Capital Theory and Screening theory, theories on discrimination, and Intersectionality theory, we formulated hypotheses on how the income returns to education in income differ between different intersectional groups. By performing a multilevel analysis on data retrieved from the LISSpanel, we showed that there are no intersectional differences in the effect of education on income between the intersectional groups. We did find that women have a lower hourly wage compared to men regardless of their education level, occupational status and age. An ethnic difference in income was not found.