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“An analysis of the Okun’s law for the Spanish provinces”

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  • Celia Melguizo Cháfer

    (Department of Econometrics. University of Barcelona)

Abstract

The inverse relationship between unemployment and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, commonly known as Okun’s law, has been traditionally analysed in the economic literature. Its application for Spain has been carried out at the national level or for the autonomous communities but it has not been analysed for provinces, the territorial level closer to local labour markets. This study analyses this relationship during the period spanning from 1985 to 2011. After testing the time series properties of provincial GDP and unemployment, we specify statiic and dynamic versions of the Okun’s law using VAR and PVAR techniques. Both static and dynamic analyses lead us to determine that provinces show large differences in their unemployment sensitivity to GDP shocks. In particular, provinces where economic activity is concentrated and Southern provinces are those suffering from higher cyclical variations in unemployment rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Celia Melguizo Cháfer, 2015. "“An analysis of the Okun’s law for the Spanish provinces”," AQR Working Papers 201501, University of Barcelona, Regional Quantitative Analysis Group, revised Jan 2015.
    • Handle: RePEc:aqr:wpaper:201501
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Unemployment; Output fluctuations; Spanish provinces JEL classification: C32; C33; J23; R11;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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