Journal Article

·2025 OPEN ACCESS

Gender and Wage Gap: Cross-Country Analysis

Fazıl Kayıkçı YTU , Daniel Meyer , Rui Alexandre Cstanho YTU , Fatma Çoban Kayıkçı YTU , Sema Yılmaz Genç YTU

SAGE Open

Abstract

Although women’s educational achievement and human capital have increased, the wage gap persists both in Germany and Turkey. Also, there are many differences in terms of labor market policies for both countries. This study will discuss the current situation within the framework of various wage gap theories and estimate the relationship between an extensive range of human capital, and economic and social characteristics of gender differences in wages for Germany and Turkey. We employ the stochastic frontier approach methodology to calculate a frontier of wages using German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and the Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TUIK) Household Research data and Labor Force Research data. The findings of the study strongly suggest that the current frameworks are inadequate, and more comprehensive measures need to be adopted to promote gender equality in the labor market. Policymakers should focus on creating more inclusive and supportive work environments by improving education, offering greater workplace flexibility, ensuring wage transparency, and providing robust legal protections for women. By addressing these systemic issues, both countries can make strides toward reducing the gender wage gap and promoting a more equitable workforce. JEL Classification: C23, E24, J16, J31.

Keywords

Wage Demographic economics Labour economics Economics Political science

Subject Areas

Labor market dynamics and wage inequality ·Economics and Econometrics ·Social Sciences
Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics ·Gender Studies ·Social Sciences
Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth ·Economics and Econometrics ·Social Sciences