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Is it the natural rate or hysteresis hypothesis for unemployment in Newly Industrialized Economies?

Author

Listed:
  • Dieu Nsenga

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University)

  • Mirada Nach

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University)

  • Hlalefang Khobai

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University)

  • Clement Moyo

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University)

  • Andrew Phiri

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University)

Abstract

The focus of our study is on determining whether unemployment rates in 8 New Industrialized Economies conform to the natural rate hypothesis or the hysteresis hypothesis. To this end, we employ a variety of unit of unit root testing procedures to quarterly data collected between 2002:q1 and 2017:q1. In summary of our findings, conventional unit root tests which neither account for asymmetries or structural breaks produce the most inconclusive results. On the other hand, tests which incorporate structural breaks whilst ignoring asymmetries tends to favour the natural rate hypothesis for our panel of countries. However, simultaneously accounting for asymmetries and unobserved structural breaks seemingly produces the most robust findings and confirms hysteresis in all unemployment rates except for the Asian economies/countries of Thailand and the Philippines.

Suggested Citation

  • Dieu Nsenga & Mirada Nach & Hlalefang Khobai & Clement Moyo & Andrew Phiri, 2018. "Is it the natural rate or hysteresis hypothesis for unemployment in Newly Industrialized Economies?," Working Papers 1817, Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University, revised Apr 2018.
    • Handle: RePEc:mnd:wpaper:1817
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Natural rate hypothesis; hysteresis hypothesis; Unemployment; unit root tests; Fourier function approximation; Newly Industrialized Economies.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • J60 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - General

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