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China : improving unemployment insurance

Author

Listed:
  • Vodopivec, Milan
  • Tong, Minna Hahn

Abstract

The objective of this policy note is to assist the Chinese government in assessing implementation of the unemployment insurance (UI) program to date, identifying key challenges, and exploring possible policy responses. The note begins with a background section on recent developments in the country's economy and labor market and briefly describes the evolution of the UI program within this context. The note then provides an overview and analysis of the current UI program, touching upon critical issues such as coverage, benefit levels, effects on work incentives, provision of employment services, and financial performance. For this analysis, the note draws upon results from recent UI policy simulation pilots in Qingdao and Tianjin; lessons from a World Bank-supported UI technical assistance project in Liaoning province; interviews with government officials involved in UI; and various UI-related studies and project reports. The note concludes with policy recommendations and suggests some future directions for UI system reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Vodopivec, Milan & Tong, Minna Hahn, 2008. "China : improving unemployment insurance," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 44779, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:hdnspu:44779
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Milan Vodopivec & Andreas Wörgötter & Dhushyanth Raju, 2005. "Unemployment Benefit Systems in Central and Eastern Europe: A Review of the 1990s1," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 47(4), pages 615-651, December.
    2. Milan Vodopivec, 2013. "Introducing unemployment insurance to developing countries," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 2(1), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Jan C. van Ours & Milan Vodopivec, 2006. "How Shortening the Potential Duration of Unemployment Benefits Affects the Duration of Unemployment: Evidence from a Natural Experiment," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 24(2), pages 351-378, April.
    4. repec:wbk:wbpubs:14922 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jingjing Xu, 2024. "Intergenerational transfers in China: What are the patterns of the transfers and when do the transfers occur?," International Studies of Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(1), pages 117-150, March.
    2. Pessoa, João Paulo, 2016. "International competition and labor market adjustment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 66426, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Almeida, Rita & Carneiro, Pedro, 2009. "The return to firm investments in human capital," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(1), pages 97-106, January.
    4. Rickne, Johanna, 2010. "Gender, Wages and Social Security in China’s Industrial Sector," Working Paper Series, Center for Labor Studies 2010:6, Uppsala University, Department of Economics.
    5. Milan Vodopivec, 2013. "Introducing unemployment insurance to developing countries," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 2(1), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Lee, Hyun & Zhao, Kai & Zou, Fei, 2022. "Does the early retirement policy really benefit women?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 330-345.
    7. Forteza, Alvaro, 2008. "The portability of pension rights : general principals and the Caribbean case," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 46188, The World Bank.
    8. Woolford, Geoff, 2009. "Social protection for migrants from the Pacific Islands in Australia and New Zealand," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 49174, The World Bank.
    9. Makhema, Mpho, 2009. "Social protection for refugees and asylum seekers in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 49168, The World Bank.
    10. Rickne, Johanna, 2013. "Labor market conditions and social insurance in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 52-68.
    11. Vodopivec, Milan & Arunatilake, Nisha, 2008. "Population aging and the labor market : the case of Sri Lanka," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 44927, The World Bank.
    12. David Robalino & Michael Weber, 2013. "Designing and implementing unemployment benefit systems in middle and low income countries: beyond risk-pooling vs savings," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 2(1), pages 1-20, December.
    13. James, Estelle, 2009. "Rethinking survivor benefits," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 52919, The World Bank.
    14. David Kucera & Xiao Jiang, 2018. "China and the great trade collapse: employment effects of falling exports to the EU and US," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 629-659, July.
    15. Janneke Pieters & Samantha Rawlings, 2020. "Parental unemployment and child health in China," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 207-237, March.
    16. Koettl, Johannes, 2009. "Human trafficking, modern day slavery, and economic exploitation," The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series 49802, The World Bank.

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