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Crime and unemployment: Evidence from Europe

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  • Altindag, Duha T.

Abstract

I investigate the impact of unemployment on crime using a country-level panel data set from Europe that contains consistently measured crime statistics. Unemployment has a positive influence on property crimes. Using earthquakes, industrial accidents and the exchange rate movements as instruments for the unemployment rate, I find that 2SLS point estimates are larger than OLS estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Altindag, Duha T., 2012. "Crime and unemployment: Evidence from Europe," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 145-157.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:irlaec:v:32:y:2012:i:1:p:145-157
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irle.2011.10.003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crime; Europe; Unemployment; Earthquakes; Industrial accidents; Instrumental variables;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • J00 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - General

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