Job satisfaction in Europe: a gender analysis

PurposeThe main aim of this study was to examine gender differences in job satisfaction in Europe.Design/methodology/approachFor the empirical analysis, data from the Sixth European Working Conditions Survey were used. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition with a principal component analysis (PCA) aggregated variable, after unconditional quantile regressions in a multiple imputation background, was implemented.FindingsWomen report higher job satisfaction than men do. Women were significantly more satisfied than men for the middle levels of the job satisfaction distribution.Originality/valueThis study expands the evidence on the determinants of job satisfaction in the European labour market by applying a recent form of decomposition that invests in unconditional quantile regression (UQR). To the best of this study knowledge, this is the first time that the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition with a PCA aggregated variable after unconditional quantile regression has been employed to study gender-based differences in job satisfaction.

Automated summary

This study examines gender differences in job satisfaction in Europe using data from the Sixth European Working Conditions Survey. The findings show that women report higher job satisfaction than men, particularly at the middle levels of the distribution. This study contributes to the understanding of job satisfaction determinants in the European labour market by applying a novel form of decomposition technique.