"We test the theory of differential overeducation which predicts that women and particularly partnered women are more affected by overeducation than men. Our OLS and FE estimations based on German SOEP data confirm that women indeed exhibit more years of excess education in both regions. Women's higher educational mismatch accounts for 5 pp of the West German pay gap. However, women suffer lower wage penalties from overeducation than men in both regions and, for partnered people, higher female wage penalties vanish in the FE estimations. Hence, women are more rationed than men concerning overeducation magnitude, confirming Frank's theory, but rather less disadvantaged with respect to economic returns."

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