Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/328227 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 18097
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper investigates the digital gender divide (DGD) in Germany by analyzing gendered patterns of digital technology use in both private and professional contexts, and their consequences for wages. Using data from the GESIS Panel, we construct a Digital Involvement at Work index covering ten technologies to assess both active use and passive exposure. Our results reveal a significant DGD in the workplace: women are consistently less involved with digital technologies at work, even after controlling for education, occupational qualification, and digital affinity. In contrast, private digital use appears more balanced. This suggests that structural constraints–rather than individual preferences–play a key role in shaping the divide. Further, we find that digital involvement is positively associated with individual income, yet it does not close the gender pay gap (GPG). On the contrary, digital involvement yields greater wage returns for men than for women. These findings highlight how gendered patterns of digitalization in the workplace reinforce existing inequalities. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for policy and labor market equity, emphasizing the need for measures that promote equitable digital inclusion.
Subjects: 
digitalisation
digital involvement
gender
wages
gender pay gap
Germany
JEL: 
J31
J16
O15
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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