Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/108792 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 5242
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
We propose a theoretical explanation for the so-called “beauty premium”. Our explanation is based entirely on search frictions and the fact that physical appearance plays an important role in attracting a marriage partner. We analyse the interaction between frictional labour and marriage markets and establish the existence of a search equilibrium characterised by male wage differentials. The equilibrium may also display the “marriage premium”, predicted to be lower among attractive men. The link between beauty premium and marriage premium provides a falsification test of the model. We carry out the empirical analysis and conclude that we cannot refute the theory.
Subjects: 
search
frictional labour market
frictional marriage market
beauty premium
marriage premium
JEL: 
D83
J12
J31
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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