Being married may raise worker productivity and increase the probability of
remaining in a job and, as consequence, obtaining a wage premium. Yet, this
effect may be different for males and females. In developing countries, such as
Colombia, the premium may be larger than in developed countries due to the
differing social norms and labor market structures. Using cross-sectional data
from Colombian Household Surveys, this paper examines the marriage wage
premium and its evolution in Colombia both at the aggregate level and by gender.
We find a marriage wage premium for both male and female populations;
this wage premium is explained by the greater human capital endowment in
married people and to employer favoritism due to the “social norms” which
consider being married an appropriate behavior and reward it.