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What Drove Relative Wages in France? Structural Decomposition Analysis in a General Equilibrium Framework, 1970-92

Author

Listed:
  • Sébastien Jean

    (OECD)

  • Olivier Bontout

    (Ministry of Labour, France)

Abstract

This paper confronts a CGE model to observed evolutions in France, between 1970 and 1992, through a structural decomposition analysis. The choice of the model and the assumption of constant elasticities over time enable the structural change of the economy between two equilibria to be summarised through a set of four types of state variables, reflecting the effect of technical change, changes in factor supplies, shifts in consumption patterns, and international trade. Simulations then allow the contribution of each of these shocks to be assessed. We find that technical change had a strong positive impact on the relative wage of skilled to unskilled workers, while the impact of changes in factor supplies is strongly negative. The effect of international trade is far less important. However, if we take into account a trade-induced effect on productivity, then we find that trade substantially increased wage inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sébastien Jean & Olivier Bontout, 2001. "What Drove Relative Wages in France? Structural Decomposition Analysis in a General Equilibrium Framework, 1970-92," Economics Working Papers 005, European Network of Economic Policy Research Institutes.
    • Handle: RePEc:epr:enepwp:005
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    File URL: http://www.enepri.org/Publications/WP005.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Jean, Sébastien & Mulder, Nanno & Ramos, María Priscila, 2014. "A general equilibrium, ex-post evaluation of the EU–Chile Free Trade Agreement," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 33-45.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Decomposition analysis; General equilibrium model; Relative wages; France.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D58 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Computable and Other Applied General Equilibrium Models
    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions

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