The overeducation literature is increasing in developed countries. Several authors have estimated the education-occupation mismatch as well as its effects on individuals' earnings. The objective of this article is to add evidences to this literature, evaluating the incidence and the returns for overeducation and undereducation in Brazil, Regions and São Paulo State. We also focus on gender and occupational differences. Data is taken from Census 2000 and the Brazilian Occupational Titles (CBO) 2002. Regarding regional pattern, the proper-match level has oscillated between 25% and 31%. The level of overeducation was between 14% and 19%. The Southeast region presented the highest tax of proper-match and the South region presented the highest tax of overeducation. The Northeast region presented highest undereducation level (almost 60%). As far as the returns are concerned, the return for women overeducated was 13.9%, while the same rate for men was 12.1%. The return for men overeducated was higher in Center-West (12.7%) and Southeast (12.4%). The women overeducated return was lower in the two most dynamic regions: Southeast and South (13.6% and 12.1%, respectively).
overeducation; undereducation; economics of education; Brazil
