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Understanding Saudi Private Sector Employment And Unemployment

Author

Listed:
  • Farah Hani

    (Center for International Development at Harvard University)

  • Michael Lopesciolo

    (Center for International Development at Harvard University)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the changes in Saudi employment and unemployment between 2009 and 2018 and argues that a supply-demand skill mismatch exacerbated by insufficient job creation, and prevalent Saudi preferences and beliefs about employment underpin the high unemployment problem that coexists with low Saudi employment in the private sector in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Farah Hani & Michael Lopesciolo, 2021. "Understanding Saudi Private Sector Employment And Unemployment," Growth Lab Working Papers 172, Harvard's Growth Lab.
  • Handle: RePEc:glh:wpfacu:172
    as

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    File URL: https://growthlab.cid.harvard.edu/files/growthlab/files/2021-03-cid-fellows-wp-131-saudi-employment.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Doruk Cengiz & Arindrajit Dube & Attila Lindner & Ben Zipperer, 2019. "The Effect of Minimum Wages on Low-Wage Jobs," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 134(3), pages 1405-1454.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • 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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