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Patterns of Work Across the OECD

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Faggio
  • Stephen Nickell

Abstract

Market work per person of working age differs widely across the OECD countries and there have been some significant changes in the last forty years. How to explain this pattern? Taxes are part of the story but much remains to be explained. The story favoured by Alesina "et al." (2005) is that the nexus of strong unions, generous welfare and social democracy implies both high taxes and pressure in favour of work-sharing in response to adverse shocks. This is not borne out in Scandinavian countries. Scandinavian trade unions have understood that wage restraint rather than work-sharing is the way to sustain employment. Copyright The Author(s). Journal compilation Royal Economic Society 2007.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Faggio & Stephen Nickell, 2007. "Patterns of Work Across the OECD," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 117(521), pages 416-440, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecj:econjl:v:117:y:2007:i:521:p:416-440
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Romain Duval, 2004. "Retirement Behaviour in OECD Countries: Impact of Old-Age Pension Schemes and other Social Transfer Programmes," OECD Economic Studies, OECD Publishing, vol. 2003(2), pages 7-50.
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    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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