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The structure of occupational mobility in France

Author

Listed:
  • Max Sina Knicker
  • Karl Naumann-Woleske
  • Michael Benzaquen

    (LadHyX - Laboratoire d'hydrodynamique - X - École polytechnique - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

In an era of rapid technological advancements and macroeconomic shifts, worker reallocation is necessary; yet responses to labor market shocks remain sluggish, making it crucial to identify bottlenecks in occupational transitions to understand labor market dynamics and improve mobility. In this study, we analyze French occupational data to uncover patterns of worker mobility and pinpoint specific occupations that act as bottlenecks, impeding rapid reallocation. We introduce two metrics, transferability and accessibility, to quantify the diversity of occupational transitions and find that bottlenecks can be explained by a condensation effect of occupations with high accessibility but low transferability. Transferability measures the variety of transitions from one occupation to another, while accessibility assesses the variety of transitions into an occupation. We provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing occupational complexity and mobility patterns, offering insights into potential barriers and pathways for efficient retraining programs. We argue that our approach can inform policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance labor market efficiency and support workforce adaptability.

Suggested Citation

  • Max Sina Knicker & Karl Naumann-Woleske & Michael Benzaquen, 2025. "The structure of occupational mobility in France," Post-Print hal-05273336, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05273336
    DOI: 10.1088/1742-5468/adcc92
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05273336v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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