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Estimating Effects of the Minimum Wage in a Developing Country: A Density Discontinuity Design Approach

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Abstract

This paper proposes a new framework to identify the effects of the minimum wage on the joint distribution of sector and wages in a developing country. I show that under reasonable assumptions, cross-sectional data on the worker's wage and sector can identify the joint distribution of the latent counterparts of these variables; that is, the sector status and wage that would prevail in the absence of the minimum wage. I apply the method in the “PNAD”, a nationwide representative Brazilian cross-sectional dataset for the years 2001 to 2009. The results indicate that the size of the informal sector is increased by around 39% compared to what would prevail in the absence of the minimum wage, an effect attributable to (i) unemployment effects of the minimum wage on the formal sector, (ii) movements of workers from the formal to the informal sector as a response to the policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Hugo Jales, 2015. "Estimating Effects of the Minimum Wage in a Developing Country: A Density Discontinuity Design Approach," Center for Policy Research Working Papers 184, Center for Policy Research, Maxwell School, Syracuse University.
    • Handle: RePEc:max:cprwps:184
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    JEL classification:

    • J60 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - General
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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