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Marriage Market Competition and Labor Supply

Author

Listed:
  • Demid Getik

    (University of Durham)

  • Joseph Pickens

    (United States Naval Academy)

Abstract

This paper examines how marriage market prospects influence decisions related to labor supply. Using U.S. microdata, we construct a novel and granular measure of marriage-market tightness. To address endogeneity from demographic mobility or labor-market shocks, we implement a Bartik-style instrument, approximating local population changes with national demographic shifts. We show that competition has heterogeneous effects across gender and education groups. For college-educated single men, greater competition increases hours worked and income. For non-college-educated single men, competition increases participation in the labor market, while the opposite holds for their female counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Demid Getik & Joseph Pickens, 2026. "Marriage Market Competition and Labor Supply," Department of Economics Working Papers 2026_10, Durham University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:dur:durham:2026_10
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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