The motherhood penalty in the United Kingdom: An unconditional quantile regression analysis

Utilizing longitudinal data sourced from Understanding Society, this study employs panel methodologies and unconditional quantile regression (UQR) analysis to explore the prevalence and impact of the motherhood penalty within the context of the United Kingdom. Our panel findings underscore the persistent existence of a motherhood penalty among average UK mothers. However, our UQR findings unveil notable variations in the motherhood penalty across the wage distribution. Specifically, our UQR analysis reveals that the motherhood penalty is most pronounced in the bottom half of the wage distribution, remaining statistically significant across all quantiles up to the median. Thereafter, the magnitude of the motherhood penalty diminishes, eventually transitioning into a motherhood premium among the highest earners.