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The public sector hires disproportionally more women than men. Using microdata, we document gender differences in employment, transition probabilities, hours, and wages in the public and private sector. We calibrate a search and matching model where men and women decide if to participate and whether to enter public or private-sector labor markets. We quantify how much of the selection of women into the public sector is driven by: (i) lower gender wage gaps, (ii) fewer hours, (iii) greater job security, or (iv) intrinsic preferences. Preferences and wages explain most of the over-representation, with significant variations across countries and educational groups.
