Evidence-based policy making
IZA World of Labor is an online platform that provides policy analysts, journalists, academics and society generally with relevant and concise information on labor market issues. Based on the latest research, it provides current thinking on labor markets worldwide in a clear and accessible style. IZA World of Labor aims to support evidence-based policy making and increase awareness of labor market issues, including current concerns like the impact of Covid-19, and longer-term problems like inequality.
View our content on Covid-19—Pandemics and the labor market
Conditions for high-potential female entrepreneurship
Individual and environmental factors can lead women to start innovative market-expanding and export-oriented ventures—or block them
Female-led ventures that are market-expanding, export-oriented, and innovative contribute substantially to local and national economic development, as well as to the female entrepreneur’s economic welfare. Female-led ventures also serve as models that can encourage other high-potential female entrepreneurs. The supply of high-potential entrepreneurial ventures is driven by individuals’ entrepreneurial attitudes and institutional factors associated with a country’s conditions for entrepreneurial expansion. A systematic assessment of those factors can show policymakers the strengths and weaknesses of the environment for high-potential female entrepreneurship.
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Is the post-communist transition over?
Support for economic liberalization reforms is essential, but it grows stronger only where societies experience the effects of reversing these reforms
Elodie DouarinTomasz Mickiewicz , June 2022An extensive program of economic liberalization reforms, even when it generates positive outcomes, does not automatically generate support for further reforms. Societies respond with strong support only after experiencing the effects of reversing these reforms (i.e. corruption, inequality of opportunity). This point is illustrated through the example of the post-communist transformation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia—arguably a context where the end point of reforms was never clearly defined, and even successful reforms are now associated with a degree of reform suspicion.MoreLess -
Should unemployment insurance cover partial unemployment? Updated
Time-limited benefits may yield significant welfare gains and help underemployed part-time workers move to full-time employment
Susanne Ek Spector , June 2022A considerable share of the labor force consists of underemployed part-time workers: employed workers who, for various reasons, are unable to work as much as they would like to. Offering unemployment benefits to part-time unemployed workers is controversial. On the one hand, such benefits can strengthen incentives to take a part-time job rather than remain fully unemployed, thus raising the probability of obtaining at least some employment. On the other hand, these benefits weaken incentives for part-time workers to look for full-time employment. It is also difficult to distinguish people who work part-time by choice from those who do so involuntarily.MoreLess -
Determinants of inequality in transition countries
Market changes and limited redistribution contributed to high income and wealth inequality growth in Eastern Europe
Michal BrzezinskiKatarzyna Salach , June 2022High levels of economic inequality may lead to lower economic growth and can have negative social and political impacts. Recent empirical research shows that income and wealth inequalities in Eastern Europe since the fall of socialism increased significantly more than previously suggested. Currently, the average Gini index (a common measure) of inequality in Eastern Europe is about 3 percentage points higher than in the rest of Europe. This rise in inequality was initially driven by privatization, liberalization, and deregulation reforms, and, more recently, has been amplified by technological change and globalization coupled with relatively ungenerous income and wealth redistribution policies.MoreLess -
Does employee ownership improve performance? Updated
Employee ownership generally increases firm performance and worker outcomes
Douglas Kruse , May 2022Employee ownership has attracted growing attention for its potential to improve economic outcomes for companies, workers, and the economy in general, and help reduce inequality. Over 100 studies across many countries indicate that employee ownership is generally linked to better productivity, pay, job stability, and firm survival—though the effects are dispersed and causation is difficult to firmly establish. Free-riding often appears to be overcome by worker co-monitoring and reciprocity. Financial risk is an important concern but is generally minimized by higher pay and job stability among employee owners.MoreLess
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Jun 21, 2022
Japanese court dismisses case arguing same-sex marriage is unconstitutional; US tech firms worried about H-1B kids “aging out”
Today’s global news summary brings news affecting Japan, the US, and the UK, and discusses issues as diverse as same-sex marriage, migration, and the cost of living crisis. -
Jun 14, 2022
UK fails to deport first asylum seekers to Rwanda; South Korean truckers’ strike affects global supply chain
Today’s global news summary brings news affecting the UK, South Korea, and South Africa, and discusses issues as diverse as asylum, unionization, and youth unemployment. -
Jun 07, 2022
UK starts world’s biggest four-day week pilot; President Biden attempts to boost US solar production
Today’s global news summary brings news affecting the UK and the US, and discusses issues as diverse as work hours, climate change, and employee ownership. -
May 24, 2022
The Middle East and North Africa are facing the highest rates of youth unemployment; 22,000 migrants have been prevented from entering the EU from Greece so far in 2022
Today’s global news summary brings news from the Middle East and North Africa, Greece, and the UK and discusses issues as diverse as youth unemployment, migration, and climate change.
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Jun 28, 2022 - Jul 01, 2022
EAERE 27th annual conference
Rimini, Italy
The Conference activities include keynote speeches and policy panels, the David Pearce Lectures, paper presentations, discussions and round tables, a book exhibition involving the most well-known publishers of environmental economic issues and a job market where universities, public and private institutes and corporations may interview the best young environmental economists for employment.
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Jul 20, 2022 - Jul 22, 2022
5th IZA Labor Statistics Workshop: The Measurement of Incomes, Living Costs and Standards of Living
Online
The purpose of the 2022 workshop of IZA’s “Labor Statistics” program area is to bring together senior and junior researchers to discuss their recent empirical research related to incomes, living costs, and standards of living.
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Jul 22, 2022
7th World Congress of the International Society of Business Economics and Ethics
Bilbao, Spain
You are cordially invited to (re-)submit proposals for the 7th ISBEE World Congress in Bilbao, Spain, to participate in the discourse on how we may re-invent globalization, the role of local communities, virtues and values, and the power of purpose.
IZA World of Labor panel discussion on gender and family issues
IZA World of Labor panel discussion on migration issues
Panel discussion on the impact of Covid-19 and today's labor market in Europe and the U.S.
The four-day workweek
Immigration, employment, and innovation
Transgender people face significant economic challenges