nep-lam New Economics Papers
on Central and South America
Issue of 2025–01–27
two papers chosen by
Maximo Rossi, Universidad de la RepÃúºblica


  1. Gender and Top Lifetime Earnings Inequality: Ten New Facts from Brazil By Martinez, Tomás R.; Martins-Neto, Antonio; Mello, Ursula
  2. Labor Demand Responses to Payroll Taxes in an Economy with Wage Rigidity: Evidence from Colombia By Oscar Becerra; Leonardo Fabio Morales

  1. By: Martinez, Tomás R. (Insper, São Paulo); Martins-Neto, Antonio (World Bank); Mello, Ursula (Insper, São Paulo)
    Abstract: This paper presents ten new facts on gender and top lifetime earnings inequality in Brazil, drawing on rich administrative data covering nearly the entire formal labor market from 1985 to 2018. We document significant gender disparities in lifetime earnings, particularly among top earners, where women are both underrepresented and face larger earnings gaps compared to men. We identify key drivers of this inequality, including labor force participation, occupational segregation, employment in large firms, and job-switching patterns. Public sector employment partially mitigates these gaps.
    Keywords: life cycle earnings inequality, gender earnings gap, top earners
    JEL: D33 J01 J30 J45
    Date: 2025–01
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17602
  2. By: Oscar Becerra; Leonardo Fabio Morales
    Abstract: This paper analyzes the effect of payroll taxes on the formal sector labor demand in the presence of wage rigidity. In particular. We study the impact of a reduction of payroll taxes on the creation of formal jobs in Colombia, where about 40 percent of formal-sector workers earn the minimum wage. Using a reform that granted tax credits to firms hiring workers younger than 28 years of age, we obtain estimates of the effect of payroll taxes on formal-sector employment and wages. We show that payroll tax incidence is borne by formal-sector employers. The reduction in payroll taxes increased Formal-sector employment and did not affect wages. Using the estimation results, we recover an estimate of the elasticity of the formal-sector labor demand between −0.53% and −0.87%. **** RESUMEN: Este artículo analiza el efecto de los impuestos a la nómina sobre la demanda laboral en el sector formal en presencia de rigidez salarial. En particular, estudiamos el impacto de una reducción de los impuestos a la nómina en la creación de empleos formales en Colombia, donde alrededor del 40 por ciento de los trabajadores del sector formal ganan el salario mínimo. Utilizando una reforma que otorgó créditos fiscales a las empresas que contratan trabajadores menores de 28 años, obtenemos estimaciones del efecto de los impuestos a la nómina sobre el empleo y los salarios en el sector formal. Mostramos que la incidencia del impuesto a la nómina es soportada por los empleadores del sector formal. La reducción en los impuestos a la nómina aumentó el empleo en el sector formal y no afectó los salarios. A partir de los resultados de estimación, recuperamos una estimación de la elasticidad de la demanda laboral en el sector formal entre −0.53% y −0.87%.
    Keywords: Payroll taxes, formal employment, formal wages, labor policy, impuestos a la nómina, empleo formal, salarios formales, política laboral
    JEL: E62 H25 J21 J3
    Date: 2025–01
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdr:borrec:1297

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