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Testing for Asymmetry in British, German and US Unemployment Data

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  • Kohns, Stephan

    (Statistisches Bundesamt)

Abstract

Not only the level of aggregate unemployment but also the properties of its dynamics are an important topic in macroeconomics and labor economics. Several models like e.g. matching models with endogenous job destruction explicitly predict an asymmetric pattern in the evolution of unemployment, whereas linear models with Gaussian innovations preclude such dynamics. This paper applies several tests for asymmetry to aggregate British, German and US unemployment data to assess the relevance of asymmetries and compare the testing procedures. The results indicate that unemployment increases more quickly than it decreases, which is consistent with the pattern implied by matching models with endogenous job destruction.

Suggested Citation

  • Kohns, Stephan, 2001. "Testing for Asymmetry in British, German and US Unemployment Data," IZA Discussion Papers 341, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp341
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lee, Cheng-Feng & Hu, Te-Chung & Li, Ping-Cheng & Tsong, Ching-Chuan, 2013. "Asymmetric behavior of unemployment rates: Evidence from the quantile covariate unit root test," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 72-84.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asymmetries; unemployment dynamics; matching model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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