Abstract
Using harmonised micro data, this paper investigates the job search behaviour of the unemployed in Europe. The analysis focuses on the importance of individual and household characteristics in this context, as well as on cross-country differences in Europe. Our findings suggest that both individual and household characteristics play an important role, with the latter being more decisive for women. However, even when controlling for these factors, remarkable differences remain between countries, which are associated with institutional characteristics at the country level.JEL codesJ20; J64; C38
Highlights
In September 2013, about five years after the start of the global economic and financial crisis, about eleven per cent of the labour force in the European Union were unemployed (Eurostat 2013)
In the final step of the analysis, we examine whether the intensity of the job search of the unemployed as well as the use of specific search methods is related to the labourmarket framework of the EU countries under investigation
We focus on both individual determinants of search behaviour and cross-country differences, making use of the fact that the data are harmonised for the countries included in the data set
Summary
In September 2013, about five years after the start of the global economic and financial crisis, about eleven per cent of the labour force in the European Union were unemployed (Eurostat 2013). Unemployment rates crucially depend on the efficiency of the process of how unemployed, job-seeking individuals are matched with open vacancies (e.g. Pissarides 2000; Petrongolo and Pissarides 2001). This matching process is treated as a black box. Individuals can influence the efficiency of the process by deciding on how much effort to devote to job search and on which search methods to employ, taking into account associated costs and expected benefits (e.g. Holzer 1988; Blau and Robins 1990). Costs may be of pecuniary nature or relate to time and effort aspects
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