Other

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

Business Daily

Factual: Money

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Business Daily: Do attractive people earn more?

Bulletins

Beauty bias

08/03/2023 GMT

Do attractive people earn more?

BBC World Service - Business Daily, Do attractive people earn more?

How our physical appearance affects our earning potential

We explore so called beauty bias in the workplace and find out whether being attractive really does mean you can make or earn more money.

How much better off are the better looking? A growing body of research seems to confirm that life is simply easier and more lucrative for attractive people. 

Labour economist Daniel Hamermesh has been studying this for years and says beautiful people do get paid more, have less difficulty securing bank loans and are typically offered more jobs, opportunities and perks.

South African fashion model Marike tells us very candidly how her looks means she often gets things for free - meals, experiences, perks. She also talks about the role social media advertising plays in this. She says you can make millions of dollars through social media if you are pretty.

We also hear from author Emily Lauren Dick about how unconscious bias around attractiveness and particularly weight can impact recruitment or promotion opportunities in the workplace. 

Producer/presenter: Deborah Weitzmann

(Photo: South African fashion model Marike: Credit: Marike)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Business Daily

Do attractive people earn more?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service