Estimating the motherhood wage penalty in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Using cross-sectional data from WageIndicator web survey for Czech Republic, this paper shows that motherhood has a negative effect on women's wages. The penalty is between 1-13%, depending on personal characteristics. Results of auxiliary regressions suggest that behind the negative effect is loss of human capital caused by maternity and parental leave as well as lower work effort of mothers at work and self-selection of mothers into more mother-friendly jobs. We have found a significant motherhood wage penalty in the private sector. However, in the public sector mothers receive a 1% wage premium. In contrast with theory, results show that low educated women yield a 4% premium for motherhood. In conclusion, the motherhood wage penalty in Czech Republic exhibits properties similar to those found in other European and US studies.