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Mind the Gap
Report

Mind the Gap

Factors Driving the Growing Racial Wage Gaps and Solutions to Close Them

Gad Levanon, Frank Steemers and Laura Sabattini
The Conference Board, 2021
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Editorial Rating

9

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Recommendation

Income gaps in the United States are growing, particularly between Black and white Americans. This is a troubling reality, given the nation’s free market tenets and commitment to equality, liberty and opportunity. Economists Gad Levanon, Frank Steemers and Laura Sabattini explore the dynamics of racial pay inequities in this sobering analysis, and they assess a framework of solutions that could mitigate the issue. Employers, employees and policy officials concerned about this alarming situation will find a robust examination of causes and thoughtfully crafted recommendations in this insightful report.

Summary

Wage inequality gaps have widened in the United States since 2010.

Labor economists note significantly increasing wage gaps in the United States, particularly between Black and white workers with college degrees. The gulf widened considerably over the period from 2010 to 2019, even when taking into account variances in demographics, geography and educational levels.

In 2010, Black men with at least a bachelor’s degree earned 18% less than comparably educated white males, and 24% less in 2019. The wage gap is narrower among those without college degrees; in this category in 2019, Black ...

About the Authors

Gad Levanon, Frank Steemers and Laura Sabattini are professionals at the Conference Board, a business-membership, nonprofit research organization.

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