A tale of two data sets

comparing German administrative and survey data using wage inequality as an example

authored by

Heiko Stüber, Markus M. Grabka, Daniel D. Schnitzlein

Abstract

The IAB’s Sample of Integrated Labour Market Biographies (SIAB) and the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) are the two data sets most commonly used to analyze wage inequality in Germany. While the SIAB is based on administrative reports by employers to the social security system, the SOEP is a survey data set in which respondents self-report their wages. Both data sources have their specific advantages and disadvantages. The objective of this study is to describe and compare the evolution of wage inequality for these two types of data. For this purpose, different sample restrictions are applied. The comparison without any harmonization of the data shows different levels and trends. When the information is largely harmonized, comparable trends and similar levels emerge.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Labour Economics

External Organisation(s)

IAB-Regional Berlin-Brandenburg
German Institute for Economic Research (DIW)
Innside Statistics UG
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Type

Article

Journal

Journal for Labour Market Research

Volume

57

ISSN

2510-5019

Publication date

21.02.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Industrial relations, Economics and Econometrics, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12651-023-00336-9 (Access: Open)