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Sexual orientation and earnings: a meta-analysis 2012–2020

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Abstract

This meta-analysis utilizes 24 papers published between 2012 and 2020 that focus on earnings differences by sexual orientation. The papers cover the period between 1991 and 2018, and countries in Europe, North America, and Australia. The meta-analysis indicates that gay men earned less than heterosexual men. Lesbian women earned more than heterosexual women, while bisexual men earned less than heterosexual men. Bisexual women earned less than heterosexual women. According to the meta-analysis, in data sets after 2010, gay men and bisexual men and women continue to experience earnings penalties, while lesbian women continue to experience earnings premiums. The persistence of earnings penalties for gay men and bisexual men and women in the face of anti-discrimination policies represents a cause for concern and indicates the need for comprehensive legislation and workplace guidelines to guarantee that people receive fair pay and not experience any form of workplace inequality simply because of their sexual orientation.

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The data appendix, codes, and original software tables have been provided to the Editors during the initial submission.

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Acknowledgements

I appreciate the time and effort that the Editor, Klaus F. Zimmermann, the Managing Editor, Madeline Zavodny, and four anonymous reviewers dedicated to provide feedback on the manuscript. The suggestions offered by the reviewers have been immensely helpful.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics, Centre for Pluralist Economics, Faculty of Business and Law, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK

    Nick Drydakis

  2. Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Nick Drydakis

  3. Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Nick Drydakis

  4. Global Labor Organization, Essen, Germany

    Nick Drydakis

  5. IZA, Bonn, Germany

    Nick Drydakis

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Table 9 Havránek et al. (2020) meta-analysis in economics checklist
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Drydakis, N. Sexual orientation and earnings: a meta-analysis 2012–2020. J Popul Econ 35, 409–440 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-021-00862-1

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