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From individual to aggregate labor supply : a quantitative analysis based on a heterogeneous agent macroeconomy

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  • Yongsung Chang
  • Sun-Bin Kim

Abstract

We investigate the mapping from individual to aggregate labor supply using a general equilibrium heterogeneous-agent model with an incomplete market. The nature of heterogeneity among workers is calibrated using wage data from the PSID. The gross worker flows between employment and nonemployment and the cross-sectional earnings and wealth distributions in our model are comparable to those in the micro data. We find that the aggregate labor supply elasticity of such an economy is around 1, bigger than micro estimates but smaller than those often assumed in aggregate models.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongsung Chang & Sun-Bin Kim, 2003. "From individual to aggregate labor supply : a quantitative analysis based on a heterogeneous agent macroeconomy," Working Paper 03-05, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
  • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedrwp:03-05
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Equilibrium (Economics); Employment;

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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