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Scars of recessions in a rigid labor market

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  • Cockx, Bart
  • Ghirelli, Corinna

Abstract

We study the impact of graduating in recessions in the Belgian labor market, where high minimum wages protect the low educated against wage losses but possibly reinforce the unemployment risk. By contrast, due to labor regulations, the high-educated can get stuck in low-wage jobs. We find that a typical recession leaves the wages of the low-educated unaffected, but reduces their working time and earnings by about 4.5% for up to twelve years after graduation. For the high-educated, working time is not persistently affected, but hourly wages and earnings are. This wage and earnings penalty increases with experience, and reaches roughly −6% ten years after labor market entry.

Suggested Citation

  • Cockx, Bart & Ghirelli, Corinna, 2016. "Scars of recessions in a rigid labor market," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 162-176.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:41:y:2016:i:c:p:162-176
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2016.05.009
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Scars; Graduating; Labor market rigidity; Recession;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C41 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Duration Analysis; Optimal Timing Strategies
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers

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