Labour Market Indicators Research Articles

Recent trends in the youth labor market in Colombia: Diagnosis and policy challenges

Abstract This paper characterizes the labor market of youth in Colombia from 2008 to 2017. We estimate labor market indicators for individuals aged between 14 and 28 years using microdata from Colombia's household surveys over the study period. Our estimates document the main patterns and trends in the labor market of youth in labor force participation, employment, unemployment, informality, and earnings. We compare these statistics with the same indicators of adults (individuals aged between 29 and 65 years), and explore differences in characteristics within youth such as gender, region, educational attainment, socioeconomic status (SES), and experience. Results indicate that participation rate of young Colombians have increased in recent years, but are mainly employed in low-quality jobs namely unsalaried and informal. We also document marked inequalities in labor market outcomes across youth characteristics. We provide a series of recommendations to guide future youth labor policy based on these estimates as well as the critical analysis of recent youth policies in Colombia.

Analysis of Labour Market in India : Adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Analysis of Labour Market in India : Adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Imitation as a social norm that influences the choice of career and labor participation of women

In Latin America, labor market indicators still show large gender gaps in access to opportunities and rights. These inequalities persist despite various policy efforts because they emanate from a social system that reproduces stereotypes and gender roles. This contradicts the development vision of the United Nations and the ILO: “Without gender equality, sustainable development is neither development nor sustainable”. This contribution focuses on the impact of social norms on women's decisions, regarding career choice and labor participation. To this end, we have built and simulated an agent-based model. The model assumes that gender roles are acquired and reproduced through the environment that surrounds women. The results of this social simulation suggest that the environment greatly influences the perception of women about the roles they must assume and the areas in which they must play, so it is pertinent to design policies aiming to change the conceptions of identity and traditional gender roles, since the construction and adoption of new and more equitable values is in part acquired through the imitation of the behavior observed in a woman's environment.

Cross-country clustering of labor and education markets in the system of strategic economic

The study focuses on the clustering of European countries in terms of labor market and education indicators, as well as the justification of strategic directions for ensuring GDP growth. It is proved that the management of the national economy in modern conditions acquires supranational features and can be effective, provided that the same approaches to the strategic management of facilities that have the same characteristics (belonging to the same cluster) are used. A comparative analysis of the development trends of labor markets of the EU and Ukraine is carried out. Using the K-means method, three cross-country clusters were formed according to indicators of the labor market and education. The applied use of the formed clusters of European countries according to indicators of the labor market and education is that for each cross-country cluster strategic directions of economic development can be justified by regulating the situation on the labor market and in the field of education. On the example of Slovakia, Austria, Greece and Ukraine, models that describe the impact on GGP of labor market and education indicators for countries are constructed. As a result of the study, strategic directions for each cluster are substantiated, which should ensure economic growth.

НЕОБХОДИМОСТЬ ТРАНСФОРМАЦИИ СИСТЕМЫ ВЫСШЕГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОНОМИКИ

The goal of the paper is to explore the main preconditions for the formation of digital economy and the trends in demand for labor force in the framework of digital transformation of economy. Statistical analysis of the indicators of digital readiness and labor market in the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union reveals the discrepancy between demand and supply of labor force. The discrepancy indicates that there is a need to transform both the content and the format of the higher education system in place.

A pandemia Covid-19: crise e deterioração do mercado de trabalho no Brasil

resumo A partir da análise de dados do IBGE sobre o mercado de trabalho no perío- do pré e durante pandemia, além de literatura pertinente, este artigo contempla três dimensões: (i) traça um breve panorama sobre o contexto de crise econômica e do emprego e das mudanças que redundaram na reforma laboral de 2017 e os indicadores do mercado de trabalho no período que antecede a crise sanitária; (ii) os indicadores do mercado de trabalho no contexto da pandemia, que sinalizam os impactos sobre o trabalho; (iii) os desafios impostos ao sindicalismo decorrentes da intensificação da agenda neoliberal dos últimos quatro anos. Demonstra que a crise sanitária causada pelo Sars- CoV-2 potencializou a fragilidade do mercado de trabalho que vinha em franco processo de deterioração nos últimos quatro anos no Brasil. Atingiu, de forma contundente e de diversas maneiras toda a classe trabalhadora dos diversos setores econômicos e de forma desigual nas diferentes regiões do Brasil.

Fertility Intentions in Times of Rising Economic Uncertainty: Evidence from Italy from a Gender Perspective

This study analyses the socio-economic determinants of the short-term fertility plans of Italian women and men living as couples, before and shortly after the onset of the 2007/2008 Great Recession, which may have affected their reproductive plans through a climate of rising economic uncertainty. Using multilevel models, we investigate how fertility intentions are related to the individual characteristics of the respondents and their partners as well as to changes in the economic context. The findings confirm that the Great Recession modified the determinants of short-term fertility intentions differently for women and men. Among the most relevant issues, we outline the importance of couples’ working conditions and the contextual labour market indicators.

The Efficacy of the Retirement Pension Provision System: Modeling, and Assessing of the Case of Kazakhstan

This research is aimed at developing a methodology for assessing the efficacy of a macroeconomic model of the Kazakhstani pension provision system. A hierarchy of indicators of the pension system efficacy is built using the graph method. The representativeness of these indicators is confirmed by using expert assessment and factor analysis. A multi-factor assessment model is built using an additive convolution of the normalized values of the 2014–2019 resulting indicators with a breakdown by regions, regarding the coefficients of their significance. A regression model is developed to show the dependence of the pension system efficacy on the share of the accumulative system in the structure of retirement scheme financing. The optimal part of the accumulative system amounting to 79.5% of the total system is determined to be the level at which the pension system efficiency is maximized. A neural model for predicting the pension system efficacy under the influence of labor market indicators is built. The size of the minimum required annual payroll deductions from the wages of persons working according to the accumulative system is calculated depending on the length of service; this minimum size ensures a replacement rate of 40% with regard to the optimal ratio of the accumulative and solidarity pension systems. These findings will be useful to state bodies when developing and clarifying directions for reforming the pension system in Kazakhstan.

The Palestinian Labor Market over the Last Three Decades

This paper consists of three economic literature review essays that survey the Palestinian labor market during the last three decades. The first essay examines the economic return to schooling since 1981 until the recent period, taking into consideration the major shocks that the Palestinian economy experienced, such as the First and Second Palestinian Intifadas (1987–93 and 2000–5), respectively, and the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority in 1993. A special focus is laid on overcoming the potential endogeneity arising from the schooling coefficient. The second essay discusses the economic costs of several conflict measures (e.g., time and geographical variation in fatalities and other conflict incidents, days under curfews, checkpoints, movement restrictions, and substitution of foreigner workers for Palestinian labor) on the labor market and human capital. Earnings and unemployment are the main labor market indicators, while the human capital impact was assessed by educational attainment. The third essay sheds light on the wage differential in the Palestinian labor market due to geographical and employment sector factors.

The distributional impacts of the reduction in remittances in Central America in COVID-19 times

COVID-19 has generated several quarantines and economic lockdowns as the main public policy responses that dramatically affected the dynamic of economic growth and labor markets worldwide. These effects impact remittance inflows to developing countries, in particular those coming from the US, which affect poverty reduction paths in Latin America. Using data from the US labor market and economic performance indicators of the US and remittance recipient countries, this paper estimates the distributional impacts of the change in remittances post-COVID-19 for the region that most rely on remittances, Central America. Results suggest that after COVID-19, remittance inflows are expected to decrease 14 % in the region during 2020 and that effects are heterogeneous among countries: El Salvador and Nicaragua are expected to be the most affected countries while Panama is expected to be the least affected one. The model allows to estimate impacts in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, due to the lack of household survey availability, this paper only explores the distributional impacts of the change in remittance inflows in Central America. The expected impacts on poverty are also heterogeneous. While poverty in El Salvador is expected to increase by 6 % due to the change in remittances, poverty in Guatemala is expected to increase by 1 %. Results are robust to different specifications.

Globalization and Workforce Composition in Indian Formal Manufacturing: New Evidence on Product Market Competition Channel

A variety of mechanisms linking globalization and margins of adjustments in the labor markets have been empirically tested in recent years. How globalization could affect the workforce composition of industries and thereby the quality of jobs, a key labor market indicator is much less studied and the econometric evidence is sparse. This study contributes to filling the gap by studying India’s formal manufacturing sector that experienced deep trade and industrial reforms since the 1990s. Industry-level panel data are analyzed to establish the indirect link between product market structure (concentration) and workforce composition of firms (usage of contract workers). We explicitly measure changes in market concentration using a newly constructed trade-adjusted concentration ratio, profitability (price-cost mark-up), and workforce composition (usage of contract workers) to show how the effect of globalization is mediated indirectly through the product market structure. Our sample includes 46 three-digit formal manufacturing industries spanning from 1998 to 2014. The findings provide significant evidence that Indian manufacturing firms responded to globalization by hiring relatively more contract workers a key margin of labor market flexibility. This finding underlines the importance of understanding the indirect ways in which globalization could affect labor market conditions and workers' welfare in developing countries.

The Self-Employment Rate Index as a Measure of Economic Trends: Impact of Heterogeneity of the Self-Employed on the Quality of Indicators

Purpose: The aim of this part of the paper was to examine whether there are any observable trends between the or percentage of in the labour market and business climate indicators, and can any conclusions be drawn whether the currently existing methods of monitoring labour are sufficient. Approach/Methodology/Design: In this paper, the hypothesis was tested that the are not a cohesive group. That is why labour market monitoring structure based on indicators related to “self-employment rate” is not sufficient to observe the trends in changes occurring in the contemporary labour market. Correlations between the business climate and labour market indicators and the various subgroups tend to be not similar. The group of is diverse and includes different areas and forms of work, which demonstrate varied tendencies and should be considered separately. Moreover, it includes groups that can now be formally separated, for example individual farmers, traditional and hybrid self-employed, employers. Findings: Our analysis clearly shows that the commonly used indicator number of self-employed or “self-employment rate” is inadequate for analysing trends in the labour market as it doesn’t showcase the complexity of problems related to changes in this market. This indicator should not be the basis for assessing economic trends, including those in the labour market. It is also insufficient for concluding about the very nature of labour and for monitoring Economy 4.0. Practical Implications: It is necessary to discuss the new classification of people who are active in the labour market. New indicators should be developed, to demonstrate changes in the labour market more accurately.

Estimating State-Level Matching Efficiencies in the Indian Labor Market

Estimating State-Level Matching Efficiencies in the Indian Labor Market-Matching Function, Matching Efficiency, Indian Labor Market, Stochastic Frontier Model, Population Density, Labor Market Flexibility

EMPLOYMENT AS AN INDICATOR OF IMMIGRANTS INTEGRATION IN A HOST SOCIETY

Integration of immigrants into the labor market is an important issue for all host countries. Active participation in the labor market is essential if population of a host country is going to accept the growing number of immigrants. The statistical data shows that in the European Union there are differences in labor market indicators between nationals and foreigners. Such a situation may result in the phenomenon of immigrants being "overqualified", which is the case in the most of the EU countries. Integration policies in the labor market (including the establishment of language training programs and more efficient procedures for assessment and recognition of qualifications acquired abroad) can help with guaranteeing the equality of opportunities for all. In the case of Slovakia specifically, the study shows that the immigrants are in an unfavorable position in the local labor market as compared to nationals and citizens of other EU countries, especially Western ones.

Economic Indicators of Labor Market and Governmental Policies to be Taken for Their Improvement: The Case of Albania

In this study, we are focused on the analysis of labor market based on economic indicators such as employment, unemployment, and participation in the labor force by trimester data of year 2018 and 2019. Such data have been provided by INSTAT (Institute of Statistics, Albania) publications related to employment rate, unemployment of the population and participation in labor forces in accordance with age group and gender, and after their being elaborated and analyzed, the relevant conclusions have been drawn. In our work, we have used the descriptive method, based in comparative analysis expressed in percentage in relation to economic indicators that we have used in our study. The descriptive analysis is also focused on the interpretation of charts and graphics relying on comparative analysis of age group and gender by trimester and annual change. This study’s purpose mainly aims to show the trimester and annual change for economic indicators that we have taken into study such as employment and unemployment rate and participation in labor forces. The difference between these trimester and annual indicators has been taken in analysis by analyzing the average degree of the respective changes. This study also aims to determine which are some measurements and governmental policies that must be undertaken to improve such economic indicators.

Marshallian vs Jacobs effects: Which is stronger? Evidence for Russia unemployment dynamics

This paper studies the influence of diversification and specialization on one of the main indicators of the Russian labour market: unemployment growth. The purpose of the work is to find out which effects dominate in the Russian regions, Marshallian or Jacobs, and whether this predominance is stable for different time periods. We tested empirically the following hypotheses: 1) the dependence of the unemployment growth on the concentration or diversification is nonlinear due to possible overlapping effects of urbanization and localization; 2) the influence of the concentration or diversification on the unemployment growth depends on the time period. To test these hypotheses, we use nonparametric additive models with spatial effects. Both hypotheses found empirical confirmation, with each effect prevailing in different time periods: Marshallian effects were prevalent in 2008-2010, and 2013-2016, while Jacobs effects were prevalent in 2010-2013.

Education–Occupation Mismatch and Dispersion in Returns to Education: Evidence from India

Using a national level sample survey on labour market in India, we analyze the role of education–occupation (mis-)match (EOM) in explaining within-group dispersion in returns to education. Applying a double sample selection bias correction and Mincerian quantile wage regression estimation, the analysis reveals interesting findings. First, on average, overeducated workers suffer a wage penalty of 7% and undereducated workers do not receive a wage reward as compared to their adequately educated counterparts. Second, the inclusion of match status reduces within-education group dispersion in returns. The finding highlights that ignoring EOM and thus, adopting a restrictive view of similarity across workers may lead to overestimation of the within-education group dispersion in returns. This study argues for focusing on EOM to increase both pecuniary and social benefits of education in terms of productivity gains and wages as well as to reduce wage dispersion.

Which Jobs Are Lost during a Lockdown? Evidence from Vacancy Postings in India

We rely on real-time data from one of India’s largest job portals (Shine.com) to study how COVID-19 (and the associated lockdown measures) impacted the Indian labor market. Detailed firm-level vacancy postings reveal a dramatic contraction in hiring: the number of firms posting jobs, and the number of new vacancies they list decline by 60% and 34%, respectively. Firms react to the lockdown by advertising more jobs that can be completed from home and fewer positions in occupations that can be easily automated. Furthermore, certain job-seekers are more affected than others, as employers post fewer entry-level jobs, and require higher levels of experience and education. Finally, we find that female-dominated industries and occupations are most severely impacted, suggesting the pandemic has a higher burden on women.

Does Education Produce Identical Labour Market Outcomes for All? A Study on India

According to the neoclassical economists, discrimination exists in the labour market if employers treat two equally qualified and skilled persons differently based on gender, race, age, disability, religion, caste, etc. In this article, we attempt to look at discrimination in the Indian labour market by applying the multinomial probit model of regression to the National Sample Survey Office data set. By taking years of schooling (as an indicator of skill and ability) as an independent variable in the model, we find that identically educated persons from different caste and gender groups are not equally likely to achieve similar occupational status, indicating the existence of discrimination in the Indian labour market. JEL Classifications: I31, C31

Mercado de trabalho e políticas públicas de emprego e renda

O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi analisar os principais indicadores do mercado de trabalho envolvendo as empresas comerciais e prestadoras de serviços e as políticas públicas de emprego e qualificação em um município do interior do estado do Paraná. Com uma abordagem de métodos mistos, os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas e aplicação de questionários, além da análise de indicadores sociais. Foram pesquisados quatro órgãos que poderiam estar envolvidos com as políticas públicas para geração de emprego e 100 trabalhadores que frequentam a Agência do trabalhador da cidade. Em relação aos órgãos notou-se a forte atuação da Agência do Empreendedor, do Programa Bom Negócio da SETI em parceria com a Universidade, e da Agência do Trabalhador em parceria com outras instituições para a qualificação. Os resultados mostraram que em Guarapuava o conjunto de políticas públicas ainda é incipiente no sentido de melhorar a qualificação e ampliar a empregabilidade.