Published date: Oct 10 2024

Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences

Issue title: 8th International Conference on Sustainability (8th ICoS): Entrepreneurship and Creative Economics

Pages: 361–377

DOI: 10.18502/kss.v9i28.17292

Bambang Hadi PrabowoSTIE Jaya Negara Tamansiswa Malang, Malang

Diah RusminingsihSTIE Jaya Negara Tamansiswa Malang, Malang

Suryaning Bawononinobalmy@gmail.comSTIE Jaya Negara Tamansiswa Malang, Malang

Ike RatnasariSTIE Kertanegara Malang, Malang

This research investigates the gender pay gap within Portugal’s informal economies, analyzing data spanning the years 2005 to 2020 using Vector Error Correction Models (VECM). The study focuses on four key variables: employers (total), wage and salaried workers (female), wage and salaried workers (male), and educational attainment by way of completing a minimum of upper secondary schooling among a population of age 25+. The findings reveal nuanced relationships among these variables: educational attainment (EA) positively impacts the total number of employers within Portugal’s informal economies. A significant correlation exists between EA and wage and salaried workers (female), albeit with complex dynamics. Similarly, EA correlates with wage and salaried workers (male), though the influence is less pronounced. EA also demonstrates a significant association with educational attainment through completing upper secondary schooling among a population of age 25+. These results underscore the multifaceted nature of the gender pay gap within informal economies, influenced by a variety of factors beyond education. Policymakers and stakeholders should consider these findings when designing strategies to promote gender equality in this critical sector, recognizing the need for comprehensive and context-specific approaches. Further research is encouraged to deepen our understanding of this issue and inform evidence-based interventions.

Keywords: gender pay gap, Portugal, informal economies, employers, gender equality

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