IZA World of Labor - Commentary

Watch exclusive video from conferences, debates and other events on labor market economics as well as reading the latest opinion pieces from IZA World of Labor authors.

May 28, 2020

Daniel S. Hamermesh

So happy together?

The evidence suggests that spending more time with a spouse is more enjoyable for married people than being alone or even being with friends. So even though we’re locked down because of coronavirus and worried about our futures, there’s a bright spot for many.
May 26, 2020

George J. Borjas, Hugh Cassidy

Covid-19 and immigrant employment

Immigrants in the US have suffered greater job losses during the coronavirus crisis than natives.
May 21, 2020

Philip Oreopoulos

Graduating during the Covid-19 recession

My advice to graduates is to take a long-term perspective.
May 18, 2020

Saumik Paul

How can governments mitigate the global decline in labor income share?

A disproportionate share of the decline in global labor income share is found among low-skilled workers.

Women at Work Around the World

Female labor force participation is mainly driven by the value of women’s market wages versus the value of their non-market time. While women’s labor force participation has risen in many countries, rates remain quite low in some countries and regions.

Read more articles on female labor force participation.

Read Daiji Kawaguchi and Hiroaki Mori's article: "The labor market in Japan, 2000–2016"

Read Tomi Kyyrä and Hanna Pesola's article: "The labor market in Finland, 2000–2016"

Read Elena Nikolova's article: "Can diversity encourage entrepreneurship in transition economies?"

Read Jungmin Lee's article: "The labor market in South Korea, 2000–2016"

Read Rafael Lalive and Tobias Lehmann's article: "The labor market in Switzerland, 2000–2016"

Read Benedikt Herz and Thijs van Rens' article: "The labor market in the UK, 2000–2016"

Read Philippe Askenazy's article: "The changing of the French labor market, 2000–2017"
Minimum wages, austerity and debt

2013 IZA prizewinner, Daniel Hamermesh, discusses topical economic issues, including minimum wage, and austerity. See his IZA World of Labor article where he examines how labor costs affect companies' demand for labor.
The importance of labor supply and the role of public policy

Richard Blundell, of University College London and IZA, explains the importance of labor supply and the role that public policy plays. His IZA World of Labor article specifically looks at the role of tax policy.