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The relationship between unemployment and crime:evidence from time-series data and prefectural panel data

Author

Listed:
  • Fumio Ohtake

    (Professor, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University)

  • Miki Kohara

    (Associate Professor, Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP))

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of unemployment rates on crime rates, using two types of Japanese data: time-series data from 1976 to 2008 and prefectural panel data from 1975 to 2005. An analysis using time-series data shows that an increase in unemployment rates raises crime rates, while the number of police officers decreases them. It should be noted, however, that the effects are different among the various types of crime. An analysis using prefectural panel data shows similar results; however, the increase in poverty rates raises crime rates more than the increase in unemployment. Our empirical evidence also suggests that occurrences of crime are attributed to both labor market conditions related to the opportunity cost of crime, and the number of policies related to crime deterrent, as the theory of crime suggests.

Suggested Citation

  • Fumio Ohtake & Miki Kohara, 2010. "The relationship between unemployment and crime:evidence from time-series data and prefectural panel data," OSIPP Discussion Paper 10J007, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University.
    • Handle: RePEc:osp:wpaper:10j007
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    File URL: http://www.osipp.osaka-u.ac.jp/archives/DP/2010/DP2010J007.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Fumio Ohtake & M. Kohara & N. Okuyama & K. Yamada, 2013. "GINI Country Report: Growing Inequalities and their Impacts in Japan," GINI Country Reports japan, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crime; Unemployment; Empirical Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C2 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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