National Employment Survey 2009 and 2010 Supplementary Analysis

Background

This report updates the National Employment Survey (NES) 2007 Supplementary Analysis which was published by the CSO in October 2009. It presents supplementary statistical analysis on the wage differential between the public and private sectors in Ireland for the years 2009 and 2010.

This statistical analysis takes into account the differences in characteristics of employees in both sectors (e.g. educational attainment, experience, hours worked etc.) and the characteristics of their employment (e.g. size of organisation). This analysis does not compare similar jobs between the public and private sectors. For example, An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel are found exclusively within the public sector, while persons engaged in the Accommodation and Food Services and Industry & Construction are found exclusively in the private sector.

Summary Results

• Overall, the summary results show that, on average, public sector employees had higher educational attainment, longer service, were older, and were more likely to be in professional jobs than their counterparts in the private sector.

• The multivariate analysis provided a range of estimates of the public/private pay gap. The range of estimates provided reflect the fact that there is no unanimity in the international literature regarding the most appropriate model/parameters to use and as such no single best measure exists and to present one would be subjective and prone to over simplification. The pay gap estimates ranged from 6.1% to 18.9% for NES 2010 and all estimates showed a reduction in the pay gap between 2009 and 2010.

• Further analysis based on gender showed that the public sector pay gap ranged from 2.3% to 14.5% for males and for females it ranged from 9.2% to 20.4% in 2010. In 2009 the pay gap ranged from 7.9% to 17.2% for males and from 14.8% to 23.4% for females.

• Analysis of the differential at differing points throughout the earnings distribution for NES 2009 and 2010 showed that the public sector pay differential was largest at the lower end of the earnings distribution and generally decreased as earnings increased.

• The gender pay gap in the public sector based on average hourly earnings was 12.1% higher for males than females, compared to 21.1% higher in the private sector in 2010.

Editor's Note:

To view and download the publication click on the following link:

National Employment Survey 2009 and 2010 Supplementary Analysis (PDF 678KB)

For more information contact:

Majella Lysaght (021) 453 5513 or                        Phone: LoCall 1890 313 414

Lillian Tobin (021) 453 5585                                 (021) 453 5000 or (01) 498 4000

Mary Smyth (021) 453 5309                                 Fax: (021) 453 5553

Kevin McCormack (021) 453 5603                          Internet: http://www.cso.ie/en/

Central Statistics Office                                                                    12 October 2012

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