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Why are Canadian and US Unemployment Rates So Highly Correlated?

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  • Kevin Lang
  • Jay Zagorsky

Abstract

We examine twin mysteries - the high correlation between Canadian and US unemployment rates and the emergence of a gap between these rates around 1982. We argue that the apparent close relationship between the unemployment rates and the sudden emergence of a gap are statistically spurious, because both rates are highly persistent. When we difference the data, the unemployment rates remain highly correlated but at a plausible level. Moreover, the permanent increase in the gap is not strikingly large compared with other years. This means that there is little reason to limit explanations for the current gap to events in 1982.

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  • Kevin Lang & Jay Zagorsky, 1998. "Why are Canadian and US Unemployment Rates So Highly Correlated?," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 24(s1), pages 56-71, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:24:y:1998:i:s1:p:56-71
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Card & W. Craig Riddell, 1993. "A Comparative Analysis of Unemployment in Canada and the United States," NBER Chapters, in: Small Differences That Matter: Labor Markets and Income Maintenance in Canada and the United States, pages 149-190, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    1. Manfred Keil & Louis Pantuosco, 1998. "Canadian and US Unemployment Rates: A Comparison Based on Regional Data," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 24(s1), pages 38-55, February.
    2. Zagorsky, Jay L., 1998. "Was depression era unemployment really less in Canada than the U.S.?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 125-131, October.

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