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Hysteresis and the Role of Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity: Evidence from U.S. States

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Abstract

This paper empirically investigates the sources of hysteresis, emphasizing the role of downward nominal wage rigidity using U.S. state-level payroll employment growth. U.S. states exhibit heterogeneous recoveries, with L-shaped and U-shaped recessions corresponding to persistent hysteresis and full recovery. L-shaped recessions are importantly driven by demand shocks and reinforced by downward nominal wage rigidity, which prolongs employment losses by raising real wages and deepening downturns. When wage rigidity is strong, expansionary policies are particularly effective in mitigating these effects through labor market adjustment. These mechanisms are validated in a New Keynesian model featuring both hysteresis and downward nominal wage rigidity.

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  • Hie Joo Ahn & Yunjong Eo, 2025. "Hysteresis and the Role of Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity: Evidence from U.S. States," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2025-062r1, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.), revised 16 Dec 2025.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2025-62
    DOI: 10.17016/FEDS.2025.062r1
    Note: Revision
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    Cited by:

    1. Damiano Di Francesco & Omar Pietro Carnevale, 2025. "Are Hysteresis Effects Nonlinear?," LEM Papers Series 2025/32, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.

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    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications

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