Does beauty matter to employment in the digital age? Evidence from the Chinese labor market

This study aims to explore the impact of physical attractiveness on employment, with a focus on the Chinese labor market. It seeks to understand how physical appearance influences not only the likelihood of employment but also the quality of employment in terms of income, social insurance, and job satisfaction. Utilizing data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies, this research employs multiple linear regression models to analyze the relationship between physical attractiveness and employment. The study pays particular attention to variables such as industry type, age, and education level, and considers the indirect effects of physical appearance on non-cognitive abilities like comprehension, language expression, and interpersonal skills. The results indicate that physical attractiveness significantly and positively influences the likelihood of employment, especially in the service industry. This effect varies with age and education levels. In terms of employment quality, attractive individuals are likely to experience higher income, better social insurance, and greater job satisfaction. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence from the Chinese context, a relatively underexplored area in this field. It offers a comprehensive view of how physical attractiveness affects both the likelihood and quality of employment, highlighting its importance in non-cognitive skill development. The study's findings have broad implications for employees, employers, and policymakers, particularly in terms of understanding the societal and economic impacts of physical appearance.