Employment Rates Research Articles

The Relationship Between Sectoral Employment and Real Sector Economic Confidence: Fourier Causation Analysis

Purpose –In order to ensure economic growth in the short term and economic development in the long term, it is important to evaluate the events occurring in the political and economic order correctly and to meet the expectations. This study was created to evaluate the effectiveness of economic confidence on the relevant sectors on a sectoral basisDesign/Methodology/Approach –In this study, the relationship between the real sector economic confidence index and employment rates in industry, construction and services sectors will be analyzed. Turkey is selected as the sample and the data range subject to the analysis is determined as 2009:01-2023:08. In the study, the Fourier analysis method, which is among the new generation analysis methods, was applied, and Fractional Frequency Fourier Augmented Dickey Fuller Unit Root Test and Fourier Toda-Yamamoto Causality Test were applied.Findings –As a result of the application, a one-way causality relationship from the real sector economic confidence index to building and industry sector employment was determined. A recommendation should be made regarding the necessity of making political arrangements that will maintain the stability level of employment in the relevant sector.Discussion –In line with the data obtained in this study, the fact that real economic confidence has an effect on employment in the construction and industrial sectors, in addition to the fact that sectoral employment has no effect on the real economic confidence index, can be linked to the fact that sectoral leaders pursue a policy of contraction or expansion within the framework of expectations

Socioeconomic Impact Of Department Of Social Welfare And Development’s (DSWD’S) Implementation Of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) 2021 At Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Surigao Del Norte

This study evaluates the socioeconomic impact of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) implemented in 2021 within the community of Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, and Surigao Del Norte. The primary objective is to assess the program's effectiveness in enhancing the economic conditions and overall well-being of its beneficiaries. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, the study involved 100 beneficiaries of the SLP-Livelihood Assistance Grant Program, each of whom received a grant of P15, 000 in 2021. Data collection encompassed both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, and subsequent analysis employed statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Spearman Rho Correlation. The findings reveal that the SLP has yielded substantial positive impacts on the lives of participants, notably enhancing income levels, employment rates, and overall quality of life. These improvements underscore the program's efficacy in fostering economic empowerment and social well-being within the community. However, the study also identifies areas where further attention and intervention are required. Specifically, challenges persist in promoting environmental sustainability and facilitating asset acquisition among beneficiaries. Based on these findings, the study proposes several recommendations to optimize the program's impact. These recommendations include integrating training on environmentally sustainable practices into the program, facilitating access to asset acquisition mechanisms such as grants and microfinance, tailoring interventions to address the specific needs of beneficiaries based on their income levels, establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems, and promoting a holistic program design that encompasses not only economic empowerment but also social and environmental well-being. Addressing these identified challenges and implementing the proposed recommendations, the positive impact of the SLP can be amplified, contributing to sustainable community development and a marked improvement in the quality of life for beneficiaries in Del Carmen.

Socioeconomic Impact Of Department Of Social Welfare And Development’s (DSWD’S) Implementation Of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) 2021 At Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Surigao Del Norte

This study evaluates the socioeconomic impact of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) implemented in 2021 within the community of Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, and Surigao Del Norte. The primary objective is to assess the program's effectiveness in enhancing the economic conditions and overall well-being of its beneficiaries. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, the study involved 100 beneficiaries of the SLP-Livelihood Assistance Grant Program, each of whom received a grant of P15, 000 in 2021. Data collection encompassed both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, and subsequent analysis employed statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Spearman Rho Correlation. The findings reveal that the SLP has yielded substantial positive impacts on the lives of participants, notably enhancing income levels, employment rates, and overall quality of life. These improvements underscore the program's efficacy in fostering economic empowerment and social well-being within the community. However, the study also identifies areas where further attention and intervention are required. Specifically, challenges persist in promoting environmental sustainability and facilitating asset acquisition among beneficiaries. Based on these findings, the study proposes several recommendations to optimize the program's impact. These recommendations include integrating training on environmentally sustainable practices into the program, facilitating access to asset acquisition mechanisms such as grants and microfinance, tailoring interventions to address the specific needs of beneficiaries based on their income levels, establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems, and promoting a holistic program design that encompasses not only economic empowerment but also social and environmental well-being. Addressing these identified challenges and implementing the proposed recommendations, the positive impact of the SLP can be amplified, contributing to sustainable community development and a marked improvement in the quality of life for beneficiaries in Del Carmen.

Socioeconomic Impact Of Department Of Social Welfare And Development’s (DSWD’S) Implementation Of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) 2021 At Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, Surigao Del Norte

This study evaluates the socioeconomic impact of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) implemented in 2021 within the community of Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, and Surigao Del Norte. The primary objective is to assess the program's effectiveness in enhancing the economic conditions and overall well-being of its beneficiaries. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, the study involved 100 beneficiaries of the SLP-Livelihood Assistance Grant Program, each of whom received a grant of P15, 000 in 2021. Data collection encompassed both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, and subsequent analysis employed statistical tools such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Spearman Rho Correlation. The findings reveal that the SLP has yielded substantial positive impacts on the lives of participants, notably enhancing income levels, employment rates, and overall quality of life. These improvements underscore the program's efficacy in fostering economic empowerment and social well-being within the community. However, the study also identifies areas where further attention and intervention are required. Specifically, challenges persist in promoting environmental sustainability and facilitating asset acquisition among beneficiaries. Based on these findings, the study proposes several recommendations to optimize the program's impact. These recommendations include integrating training on environmentally sustainable practices into the program, facilitating access to asset acquisition mechanisms such as grants and microfinance, tailoring interventions to address the specific needs of beneficiaries based on their income levels, establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems, and promoting a holistic program design that encompasses not only economic empowerment but also social and environmental well-being. Addressing these identified challenges and implementing the proposed recommendations, the positive impact of the SLP can be amplified, contributing to sustainable community development and a marked improvement in the quality of life for beneficiaries in Del Carmen.

Development of human capital in Kazakhstan’s higher education institutions: financial investments, faculty qualifications, and research output (2018–2022)

This study examines the development of human capital in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Kazakhstan from 2018 to 2022, focusing on financial investments, infrastructure support, faculty qualifications, research output, and student outcomes. Utilizing comprehensive data from official sources, the analysis reveals significant growth in financial commitment to higher education, with substantial increases in expenditures, revenues, and investments in educational infrastructure. The data indicate a diverse and increasingly qualified faculty, though gender imbalances persist at senior academic levels. Research output, as measured by publications indexed in Scopus, has shown consistent growth, reflecting enhanced research productivity. Student performance metrics, including graduation rates and employment outcomes, highlight the effective preparation of graduates for the job market, with rising average salaries and employment rates. Innovation activities within HEIs, such as patent applications and trademark registrations, demonstrate a dynamic but variable landscape. The study identifies key areas for improvement, including the need for sustained investment, policies promoting gender equality in academia, and support for innovation activities. The findings underscore the importance of aligning educational programs with market needs to further improve graduate employability. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and educational leaders to enhance the quality and competitiveness of higher education in Kazakhstan, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

Workplace Accommodations and the Labor Force Status of Persons with Disabilities.

The aim of the study is to examine the role of unmet needs for workplace accommodations (WPA) in the labor force status of persons with disabilities (PWD) aged 25-64years. The study used data from the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability and multinomial logistic regressions to estimate the predicted probabilities of employment, unemployment, detachment from the labor force, and retirement. Product terms were used to examine if the association between unmet needs for WPA and these employment outcomes depended on severity of disability and age group. The findings show that the probability of employment was far lower for PWD with unmet needs for WPA than it was for their counterparts without unmet needs, after controlling for disability-related and sociodemographic characteristics. While having more severe disabilities associated with a lower employment rate, this occurred in the context of unmet needs for WPA, as there was no difference between persons with milder and more severe disabilities without unmet needs. Unmet needs for WPA had age-specific consequences and were associated with a higher probability of unemployment and detachment from the labor force among PWDs aged 25-34years and a higher probability of retirement among PWD aged 55-64years. Unmet needs for WPA are a barrier to the employment chances of many PWD and eliminating these unmet needs could increase their inclusion in the labor force.

Factors affecting employment status in people with epilepsy

Aim: People with epilepsy often face difficulties finding and keeping a job in India. This study aimed to determine the employment rate of people with epilepsy, compare it with that of people without epilepsy and to assess the various factors affecting theiremployment status. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was done by recruiting 140 people with epilepsy and 140 people without epilepsy (relatives of patients) from an epilepsy clinic in New Delhi, India. Demographic and clinical data were collected using questionnaires. Additionally, five items were added to measure self-perceived importance of work, ability to work and family support for working. Psychometric scales were used to measure the psychosocial variables affecting employment. Questionnaires were completed by people with epilepsy. Results: The employment rate of people with epilepsy was 59.3% as compared to 70.0% in those without epilepsy (P=0.045). Gender, younger age, having fewer family members, higher educational attainment, self-perceived importance of being employed for personal and financial reasons, and the ability to work and family support for working were some of the factors associated with employment status in people with epilepsy (P<0.05). Among the psychosocial variables, epilepsy stigma and perceived social support were found to be significantly associated with being employed (P<0.05). None of the clinical variables were found to be associated. Of those in the study, 56 out of 83 people with epilepsy, who had a job, felt they were underemployed. Conclusions: The employment rate of people with epilepsy was lower than the control population. The majority of those with jobs felt they were underemployed. A host of factors affect employment status in people with epilepsy. This suggests the need for vocational training, raised awareness among the general population, and counselling and other services for people with epilepsy.

Regional differences in reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medicaid, and FAIR Health across common procedures for neurological surgeons.

FAIR Health-a nonprofit, state-funded database-was created as an independent repository of healthcare claims paid data to address allegations of price fixing. Many insurers have forced physicians to negotiate payments based on Medicare rates, rather than utilizing FAIR Health. The authors' objective was to provide an overview of regional differences in reimbursement rates per several sample neurosurgical Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and to compare Medicare, Medicaid, and usual, customary, and reasonable rates via FAIR Health rate estimates. The authors compared FAIR Health rates for three common neurosurgical CPT codes: 61510 (removal of bone from skull for removal of upper brain tumor), 22630 (fusion of lower spine bones with removal of disc, posterior approach, single interspace), and 62223 (creation of a brain fluid drainage shunt, ventriculoperitoneal, ventriculopleural, or other terminus), with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement to evaluate differences in five different regions in the US. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates were consistently and significantly lower than FAIR Health in-network rates across all three CPT codes evaluated (p < 0.001 for all). Significant regional differences exist per census data in median age, median income, employment rates, and degree of health coverage (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). Reimbursement estimates were found to have regional variation: Medicare/Medicaid rates were significantly lower than FAIR Health in-network rates for all codes across regions with a region-based interaction for reimbursement for code 62223 (p = 0.020). Medicare and Medicaid rates did not significantly vary across regions. Inherent differences exist between cities and states, including median income, employment rates, and health coverage. Despite geographic cost practice indices for Medicare and state-specific production of Medicaid, Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement rates did not vary across regions but were consistently and significantly lower than FAIR Health estimates throughout the US. Locale-specific variation in FAIR Health may further indicate a better accounting of regional differences in cost of practice.

High-frequency episodic migraine: Time for its recognition as a migraine subtype?

High-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) has gained attention in the field of headache research and clinical practice. In this narrative review, we analyzed the available literature to assess the evidence that could help decide whether HFEM may represent a distinct clinical and/or biological entity within the migraine spectrum. The output of the literature search included 61 papers that were allocated to one of the following topics: (i) socio-demographic features and burden; (ii) clinical and therapeutic aspects; (iii) pathophysiology; and (iv) classification. Multiple features differentiate subjects with HFEM from low-frequency episodic migraine and from chronic migraine: education, employment rates, quality of life, disability and psychiatric comorbidities load. Some evidence also suggests that HFEM bears a specific profile of activation of cortical and spinal pain-related pathways, possibly related to maladaptive plasticity. Subjects with HFEM bear a distinctive clinical and socio-demographic profile within the episodic migraine group, with a higher disease burden and an increased risk of transitioning to chronic migraine. Recognizing HFEM as a distinct entity is an opportunity for the better understanding of migraine and the spectrum of frequency with which it can manifest, as well as for stimulating further research and more adequate public health approaches.

Intolerance of Uncertainty Worsens Career Indecisiveness and Anxiety Among Chinese NEET During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediation Roles of Memes Use and Depression Emoticon Empathy

The term “NEET” refers to individuals aged 15 to 34 years who are not involved in education, employment, or training programs. Recent studies have shown that NEET individuals are at a high risk of experiencing lower well-being and mental health issues. This study aimed to examine the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty (IU), meme use (MU), depression emoticon empathy (DEE), and career indecisiveness and anxiety (CIA) in NEETs who were locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. We hypothesize positive interrelations among study variables. Then, mediation path models were carried out to study the relationship between IU and CIA through MU and DEE. We collected data through an online survey from NEETs (N = 1,404) in China, using questionnaires assessing IU, MU, DEE, and CIA, and Structural Equation Modeling analyses were performed to explore the interrelations among them. We found that IU influenced NEET’s CIA primarily through the independent intermediaries of MU and DEE. Additionally, the chain intermediary of MU → DEE was significant. Our study indicated that MU and DEE partially mediated the relationship between IU and CIA, respectively. Digital communications through MU and DEE are playing an important role in the relationship between IU and CIA, respectively. Therefore, MU and DEE as studied in this research may work as alarm to foretell early of the CIA among NEET. Moreover, our findings could be used as a reference for promoting employment and increasing the employment rate among NEET population and might be a potential target for intervention or service delivery.

A policy for the jobless youth in South Africa

This paper uses survey and tax administrative data to analyse the effects of a sizeable employer-borne payroll tax credit for young, low-wage workers in South Africa. We find fairly limited impacts of the wage subsidy on the employment of young, low-wage workers relative to two comparison groups: slightly older, low-wage workers and slightly higher-paid, young workers. We find evidence of increases in low-wage youth entry into employment, but these are too small to affect overall employment. However, the female employment rate has increased, and unemployment among women has dropped because of the policy. We find evidence to suggest that the policy has led to a rise in earnings, particularly for men and those earning around the maximum subsidy value.

Intergenerational Power Shift and the Rise of Nonarranged Marriages Among Refugees

The experiences of war and refugee status can alter intrafamily dynamics, with implications for family formation, including marriage. We use the nationally representative Syrian Migrant Sample of the 2018 Turkey Demographic Health Survey (TDHS-S) to conduct a duration analysis of marriage outcomes among Syrian refugees in Turkey, tracking women throughout their residence in prewar Syria (before the conflict began in 2011), postwar Syria (after the conflict began but before arrival in Turkey), and Turkey. We find that early marriage was more prominent among refugees who were unmarried at the time of migration than among those married before migration; the mean marriage age dropped from 19.6 in prewar Syria to 19.1 in postwar Syria and 18.1 in Turkey. Using the TDHS-S and prewar Syrian surveys, we show that this finding aligns with the observed declines in household income and young women's opportunity cost of marriage. Our duration analysis also reveals a notable shift from traditional arranged marriages to more modern marriage forms among refugees in Turkey. An intergenerational power shift might drive the shift toward nonarranged marriages. After arrival in Turkey, wealth and employment of parents decline among refugees. In contrast, Syrian youth in Turkey have higher age-adjusted employment rates than in prewar Syria. Moreover, nonarranged marriages increase more among demographic groups with stronger intergenerational power shifts than among groups with weaker shifts.

The Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on International Consumption Risk Sharing: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis

This study investigates the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on consumption risk sharing among participating countries. Utilizing a difference-in-differences model within the context of international consumption risk sharing, we analyze data from 2002 to 2022 for 64 BRI countries. Our empirical findings indicate a significant reduction in consumption risk sharing attributable to the BRI. Further subgroup analysis reveals that the BRI hinders consumption risk sharing particularly among countries along the Land Silk Road, especially those bordering China. Key contributing factors include increased tariffs, heightened foreign investment, rising employment rates, increased resident income, and a diversified range of consumer products. These factors exacerbate the BRI’s adverse effects on consumption risk sharing in comparison to countries with lower levels of these variables. Our findings suggest that the Initiative has an uneven impact on the mechanisms affecting countries along its route.

Gender Disparities in Kazakhstan’s Labor Market: Evidence from the Quality Employment

Gender disparities in the labor market have remained a critical area of economic research, particularly in understanding how men and women experience different employment conditions. This study aims to assess the quality of employment for men and women, focusing on the multidimensional quality of jobs, including formal and informal employment, unemployment, and access to highly qualified professions. The research employs a standardized approach using Z-scores to analyze deviations from average labor market indicators across genders, enabling a comparative evaluation of employment trends over the past decade. Data were drawn from national labor force statistics, covering a wide range of indicators such as labor force participation, employment rates, unemployment, and sectoral distribution. The results of the study show significant gender differences. The average level of the involvement of women in the labor force during the study period was 64.96%, while for men this figure reached 76.38%. The employment rate among women was 4.5% lower on average compared to men, and for women in informal employment, it was 20.16% versus 20.76% for men. Women also showed a higher unemployment rate: 5.71% versus 4.36% for men. The study also highlights the impact of external economic shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on labor market dynamics, exacerbating gender disparities. Future research should focus on developing policies that reduce informal employment and increase job stability for women. Further study of the long-term effects of global economic crises on gender differences in the quality of employment is also necessary to develop effective measures.

Rural depopulation in Kazakhstan: mechanisms of regulation

The aim is to analyze depopulation trends in rural regions of Kazakhstan, including Kostanay region, and to propose mechanisms for their optimization. Methods - comparative analysis and dynamic methods were used to identify the main causes and annual decline in population in rural areas. Empirical methods were used to determine the factors of rural population reduction, as well as the formation of a system of complex regulation of demographic and social problems. The assessment of socio-economic indicators of the oblast was carried out on the basis of the evaluation approach. Results - the authors note that despite a number of existing documents on the development of rural areas of the country, since 2009 depopulation of the rural population of the country persists. In 2024 compared to 2008 the quantitative composition decreased by 9.1%. It is most characteristic for Kostanay region. In order to more deeply study the depopulation orientation in this region a comparative analysis of social parameters of 4 densely populated and 4 least densely populated areas, including data for the period from 2010 to 2023 was carried out. Conclusions - labor market indicators of Kazakhstan and Kostanay region are somewhat lower compared to urban indicators. In 2023, the labor force participation rate was observed to be higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, but the employment rate was significantly lower. Self-employed workers are 16% more in rural areas and 9% more in the oblast. The low size of income and its stable sources led to the outflow of economically active groups from villages to large cities. In order to comprehensively regulate these processes in rural areas, it is advisable to create an effective mechanism of social responsibility of business (SRB), which will reduce budget expenditures of the state.

Decoding Socio-Economic Demographic Trends: The Power of Spatial Econometrics and Geographic Analysis

Greece is experiencing a steady population decline caused by the declining migratory and natural balance. This research investigates the spatial impact of socio-economic and demographic factors on the natural population balance in Greece for the spatial zoning of municipal administrative units. Using geographically weighted regression (GWR) on data from the 2011 Greek census, the research explores the local impacts of factors like housing repair permits, vacant housing, employment rates, population inflows, distance from regional centers, aging, gender ratios, and education levels. An initial ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was conducted, revealing significant spatial variation and emphasizing the necessity of spatial econometric methods. The GWR model proved to be more effective in accounting for the variance in the data, removing spatial autocorrelation and revealing high local variation. Results show the high negative impact of the aging index in Western Greece and the Ionian islands, the counterintuitive positive effect of the gender ratio in urban areas, and the positive influence of population inflows in high-migration regions like Northern Greece and Crete. The results of this study underline the need to utilize spatial econometric methods for a precise and detailed understanding of demographic trends and provide valuable insights for localized strategies to address demographic challenges.

Malaysian Community College Graduates Employability Prediction Model Using Machine Learning Approach

Community College, as TVET institution under the Ministry of Higher Education, offers industry-relevant skills training to ensure graduates' employability in the global labor market. However, producing graduates who meet industry demands remains a challenge, and industries continue to face difficulties in obtaining skilled graduates. In Malaysia, there is limited research on predictive models for employability rates among graduates of TVET Malaysian institutions. This research utilizes Python to investigate the significant factors influencing employability among Malaysian Community College graduates, determined by a specific indicator of whether they will be employed. Our contribution lies in developing an accurate employability prediction model using machine learning algorithms such as Logistic Regression, Neural Networks, and Random Forest. The dataset used consisted of 10,427 instances and 14 attributes, from which six significant factors were identified. Among the models, Random Forest outperformed the other machine learning models, and hyperparameter tuning using RandomizedSearch further improved the accuracy of the model to 84.8%. This study aims to identify the most accurate and interpretable model, providing valuable insights for educational institutions to enhance their employability strategies.

Part-Time Paradox: The Rise of Female Part-Time Employment and Its Impacts on Germany's Labor Market

Despite an employment rate of 76.6% for women in Germany, significant issues persist with regard to the labour market situation of women in the country. These include the prevalence of part-time work, the under-representation of women in senior management positions and the existence of pay gaps. This article employs data from the German Statistical Office spanning the period from 2000 to 2022 to examine the growth in part-time employment among women and its ramifications. The paper demonstrates that part-time work is a prevalent phenomenon in female-dominated sectors such as health and education. This is driven by a combination of economic conditions, the necessity to reconcile work and family life, and legal regulations. This situation consequently results in women facing lower remuneration and constrained career prospects. The necessity to balance work and family responsibilities represents a significant challenge for women, impeding their career development and negatively impacting their job performance and workplace commitment. These dynamics serve to perpetuate gender inequalities in the labour market, thereby preventing women from realising their full potential at work. This article makes a significant contribution to the existing literature on the relationship between part-time work and gender inequalities in the German labour market by providing a detailed analysis of this complex relationship. The article offers valuable insights into the potential of legal regulations, such as the Temporary Part-Time Work Act enacted in 2019, to alleviate the adverse effects of part-time work on women. The research is distinctive in its comprehensive examination of the socio-economic dynamics of part-time work, its legal framework, and its impact on gender equality, based on an extensive data analysis conducted over an extended period. By offering a detailed and nuanced understanding of these issues, the study draws attention to the ongoing challenges women face in the labour market and suggests potential policy interventions to promote gender equality. This article emphasises the necessity for targeted measures to facilitate women's career progression and offset the adverse consequences of part-time employment, thereby contributing to a more equitable labour market.

Management and dynamics of employment and remittance, and the impact of remittance on employment – case study Republic of Kosovo

In addition to other indicators, improvements in the performance of the labor market, improvements in the performance of remittances, and improvements in the performance of the management of labor market policies and remittances in Kosovo all play important roles in the economic development of Kosovo. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate and compare the dynamics of employment and remittances, as well as to determine the impact of remittances on employment growth in the Republic of Kosovo. In the present study, we examined the dynamics of employment and remittances during the last decade, empirically examined the influence of remittances on employment, and conducted an analysis of employment and remittance policy in Kosovo. According to the findings, the highest number of employees in Kosovo from 2012 - 2022 was in 2022, whereas the lowest number of employees was in 2015. According to the latest results in Kosovo, the unemployment rate is 10.8%, whereas the employment rate is 34.7%. Remittances have had a significant effect on Kosovo's economy and citizens’ level of living. The value of remittances increased from 2012 - 2022, with the largest value occurring in 2022. Remittances in June 2023 were 123.9 million euros, which represents an increase of 18% compared with the same period of 2022. The hypothesis in this work is examined econometrically, and the empirical results show that the β1 coefficient value is positive, indicating that remittances have a considerable impact on increasing employment in Kosovo. The challenge with remittances in Kosovo in terms of expanding employment is related to their effective management with regard to creating new jobs. The report advises that policymakers implement more sustainable remittance and labor market management to enhance Kosovo's employment performance, among other things.

Comparative Analysis of Independent Reviewer-Rated and Self-Rated Fidelity Scores in Individual Placement and Support Programs: Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys.

Fidelity assessments can contribute to maintaining the adherence to the individual placement and support (IPS) model, which enhances vocational outcomes for individuals with mental illness worldwide. While independent reviews are standard, self-assessments could broaden the implementation of IPS. This study aimed to evaluate reviewer-rated and self-rated fidelity assessments using the Japanese version of the Individualized Supported Employment Fidelity Scale (JiSEF), and to compare the two assessment methods in terms of their correlations with employment outcomes in Japan. Over the 3-year research period, fidelity assessments were conducted by independent reviewers and trained program staff members across 26 programs, totaling 58 assessments. Analyses involved kappa statistics for item-level comparison, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and paired t-testfor the overall fidelity scores, and Pearson's correlations to examine the relationship between the fidelity scores and program-level employment outcomes. Most individual JiSEF items demonstrated fair to good reliability between reviewer-rated and self-rated assessments. The ICC for the overall JiSEF scores between the two assessment methods was 0.756, yet the distribution of self-rated scores was more scattered compared with that of reviewer-rated scores. The mean total scores from self-assessments were significantly lower than those from reviewer assessments (t = 2.072, P = 0.043). While both sets of scores correlated significantly with employment rates (r = 0.640, P < 0.001 for reviewer assessments; r = 0.325, P = 0.013 for self-assessments), the correlation was stronger for reviewer ratings (z = 2.207,P = 0.027). Self-rated fidelity assessments offer several benefits. However, since independent reviews had a more normal distribution and higher correlation with employment outcome, they should remain the priority in fidelity assessments within the Japanese IPS framework.