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Graduating into a recession

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  • Alba, Alfonso
  • Reggio, Iliana

Abstract

We investigate labour market outcomes among persons who graduated from college during a recession in Spain. We use administrative data that allow for longitudinal analysis for a large sample of workers. The main result is that men and women who enter the labor market in a period of rising unemployment experience a significant loss of earnings in comparison with cohorts entering just before or after the downturn. However, we find that earnings differentials become insignificant by the third year after graduation for men, and by the fifth year for women. Almost all earnings losses among unlucky college graduates appear to be caused by joblessness: the brunt of adjustment takes place through employment rather than wages.

Suggested Citation

  • Alba, Alfonso & Reggio, Iliana, 2017. "Graduating into a recession," UC3M Working papers. Economics 25363, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía.
    • Handle: RePEc:cte:werepe:25363
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kahn, Lisa B., 2010. "The long-term labor market consequences of graduating from college in a bad economy," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 303-316, April.
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    6. Philip Oreopoulos & Till von Wachter & Andrew Heisz, 2012. "The Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a Recession," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(1), pages 1-29, January.
    7. Liu, Kai & Salvanes, Kjell G. & Sørensen, Erik Ø., 2016. "Good skills in bad times: Cyclical skill mismatch and the long-term effects of graduating in a recession," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 3-17.
    8. Joseph G. Altonji & Lisa B. Kahn & Jamin D. Speer, 2014. "Trends in Earnings Differentials across College Majors and the Changing Task Composition of Jobs," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(5), pages 387-393, May.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    College graduates;

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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