Information frictions and gender inequality in online labor markets

Abstract

This project investigates whether information frictions among applicants and hiring managers and uncertainty about employer preferences are key drivers of gender inequality using evidence from the largest online job platform in Nigeria.

Using data spanning 2014-2020 with over 2 million applicant-job matches and 227,194 unique applicants, the research documents 3 core facts:

• women apply to lower-level jobs than equally qualified men

• women apply to fewer jobs overall

• hiring managers are more likely to hire qualified men over equally qualified women.

This research is part of the Gender, Growth and Labour Markets in Low-Income Countries programme.

Citation

Archibong B and others. 'Information frictions and gender inequality in online labor markets' G2LM LIC Policy Brief 86, 2026

Links

Information frictions and gender inequality in online labor markets