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The changing importance of lifetime jobs in the United Kingdom

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  • Xavier ST‐DENIS

Abstract

Lifetime jobs are generally considered to be a central feature of the post‐war labour market. This article aims to provide more precise data on the prevalence of lifetime jobs in the workforce. It presents a novel method to estimate with cross‐sectional data the probability that workers in different birth cohorts will hold a lifetime job. It finds that the share of UK workers who held such jobs in the post‐war period was low, with variations across socio‐demographic groups. The prevalence of long‐term jobs, but not lifetime jobs, has decreased among men born between 1947 and 1966, partly driven by decreasing job stability during youth.

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier ST‐DENIS, 2021. "The changing importance of lifetime jobs in the United Kingdom," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 160(2), pages 243-269, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:intlab:v:160:y:2021:i:2:p:243-269
    DOI: 10.1111/ilr.12190
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    References listed on IDEAS

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