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Schooling, Skills, and Labor Market Outcomes in Africa: Evidence from Ghana and Kenya

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  • Otchia, Christian

Abstract

Researchers have shown that there is a mutually reinforcing interaction between cognitive and socioemotional skills, and this combination explains the success in various aspects of life, such as employment, wage, and health status. This paper aims at understanding the interactions between cognitive skills and socioemotional skills in Africa. It also assesses the association of these skills with labor market outcomes, with a special focus on women and youth. To provide fine policy directions to inform decision-making and future research, this paper incorporates more relevant employment status in African labor market, such as high-skills occupation and education-job mismatch.

Suggested Citation

  • Otchia, Christian, 2017. "Schooling, Skills, and Labor Market Outcomes in Africa: Evidence from Ghana and Kenya," MPRA Paper 77259, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:77259
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Herbert Gintis & Samuel Bowles & Melissa Osborne, 2001. "Incentive-Enhancing Preferences: Personality, Behavior, and Earnings," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(2), pages 155-158, May.
    2. Eric A. Hanushek & Ludger Woessmann, 2008. "The Role of Cognitive Skills in Economic Development," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 46(3), pages 607-668, September.
    3. James J. Heckman & Jora Stixrud & Sergio Urzua, 2006. "The Effects of Cognitive and Noncognitive Abilities on Labor Market Outcomes and Social Behavior," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 24(3), pages 411-482, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J46 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Informal Labor Market

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