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.
Does working from home work in developing countries?
Infrastructure constraints are major obstacles for working from home in developing countries
Work-from-home possibilities are lower in developing than in developed countries. Within countries, not all workers have equal chances of transitioning from the usual workplace to work-from-home. Moreover, infrastructure limitations and lack of access to certain services can limit the chances of effectively working from home. Having a home-based job can affect, positively or negatively, work–life balance, levels of job satisfaction and stress, and productivity. The differential chances of working from home may end up increasing the levels of income inequality between workers who can and those who cannot work from home.
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The labor market in Brazil, 2001–2022 Updated
Brazil’s long-lasting recession has hurt the poor and has reversed inequality trends
Sergio Pinheiro FirpoAlysson Lorenzon Portella , April 2024In the first decade of the 21st century, the Brazilian economy experienced an important expansion followed by a significant decline in inequality. The minimum wage increased rapidly, reducing inequality with no negative effects on employment or formality. This resulted from economic growth and greater supply of skilled labor. However, from 2014-2021, real wages were stagnant, and unemployment rates surged. Inequality rose again, although only marginally. Some positive signs emerged in 2022, although it is still too early to know whether they mark a return to past trends or a recovery from the pandemic.MoreLess -
The importance of informal learning at work Updated
On-the-job learning is more important for workers’ human capital development than formal training
Andries De Grip , March 2024Although early human capital theory recognized the relevance of workers’ experience, its focus was on education and formal training. More recent studies show that much of the performance of newly hired workers is driven by learning by doing or learning from peers or supervisors in the workplace. Descriptive data show that workers learn a lot from the various tasks they perform on the job. Informal learning at work seems to be relevant for all age groups, although it is more meaningful for younger workers’ performance. Informal learning is far more important for workers’ human capital development than formal training courses.MoreLess -
Compensating displaced workers Updated
Job displacement is a serious earnings risk and the displaced are typically poorly insured
Donald O. Parsons , February 2024Job displacement is a serious earnings risk to long-tenured workers, both through spells of unemployment and through reduced wages on subsequent jobs. Less developed countries often rely exclusively on government mandated employer-provided severance pay to protect displaced workers. Higher income countries usually rely on public unemployment insurance and mandated severance pay. Beyond these options, more administratively demanding plans have been proposed, including UI savings accounts and “actual loss” wage insurance, though real-world experience on either model is lacking.MoreLess -
Trans people, well-being, and labor market outcomes Updated
Transitioning across gender is related to greater life and job satisfaction but also affects acceptance in one’s society
Nick Drydakis , January 2024Acceptance of one’s gender identity and congruence between one’s gender identity and outward appearance are associated with less adverse mental health symptoms, and greater life and job satisfaction. However, trans people are subject to human rights violations, hate crimes, and experience higher unemployment and poverty than the general population. Trans people often feel that they are citizens who are not allowed to be themselves and practice their authentic identity. Many biased treatments of trans people could be attenuated if legal protections and inclusive workplace practices were in place.MoreLess -
Labor market institutions and policies in old and new EU members Updated
After three recessions, a new emphasis on the importance of collective institutions and social dialogue is emerging
Riccardo Rovelli , January 2024Old and new EU member states still adopt quite different labor market institutions and policies: convergence has been partial and limited. Nevertheless, a new agreement is spreading on the importance of well-developed, coordinated institutions, supported by social dialogue, in view of the increasing challenges posed by the macro economy and by the increasing fragmentation of labor markets.MoreLess -
Multiple job-holding: Career pathway or dire straits? Updated
Moonlighting responds to economic needs, but can generate new skills and careers
Konstantinos PouliakasWieteke S. Conen , December 2023Multiple job-holding, or “moonlighting”, is an important form of atypical employment in most economies. New forms of work, driven by digitalization, may enable its future growth. However, many misconceptions exist, including the belief that multiple job-holders are only low-skilled individuals who moonlight primarily for financial reasons, or that the practice increases during economic downturns. Recent literature highlights the significant links between moonlighting and job mobility. Multiple job-holding allows for the development of workers’ skills and spurs entrepreneurship.MoreLess -
Rethinking the skills gap Updated
Better understanding of skills mismatch is essential to finding effective policy options
Evidence suggests that productivity would be much higher and unemployment much lower if the supply of and demand for skills were better matched. As a result, skills mismatch between workers (supply) and jobs (demand) commands the ongoing attention of policymakers in many countries. Policies intended to address the persistence of skills mismatch focus on the supply side of the issue by emphasizing worker education and training. However, the role of the demand side, that is, employers’ rigid skill requirements, garners comparatively little policy attention.MoreLess -
Climate change, natural disasters, and migration Updated
The relationship between climate change, natural disasters, and migration is not straightforward and presents many complexities
Linguère Mously MbayeAssi Okara , November 2023The relationship between climatic shocks, climate related disasters, and migration has received increasing attention in recent years and is quite controversial. One view suggests that climate change and its associated natural disasters increase migration. An alternative view suggests that climate change may only have marginal effects on migration. Knowing whether climate change and natural disasters lead to more migration is crucial to better understand the different channels of transmission between climatic shocks and migration and to formulate evidence-based policy recommendations for the efficient management of the consequences of natural disasters.MoreLess
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Apr 16, 2024
IZA establishes new award for innovative research on a pressing public issue
Topic chosen for the new three years is Artificial Intelligence -
Apr 12, 2024
Frontier technologies are likely to accelerate the de-routinization of work
New study shows firm-level differences in technology adoption that may increase between-firm inequality -
Apr 10, 2024
Major replication project re-analyzes over 100 economics and political science articles
New study by more than 350 coauthors finds high reproducibility rates, but also highlights areas for improvement
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Apr 25, 2024
2nd IZA/OECD Workshop: Climate Change and the Labor Market
Online
The IZA/OECD workshops aim to increase synergies between researchers and OECD experts to promote the societal impact of academic research and the relevance of expertise. These workshops are organized twice a year and focus on topics of particular importance to the economy and society. They bring together researchers from the IZA network, OECD experts and policymakers. They take place by videoconference, over half a day, with presentations by experts, researchers and discussions with policymakers.
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Oct 10, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024
IZA/ECONtribute Workshop on the Economics of Education
Online
The 8th IZA/ECONtribute Workshop on the Economics of Education will convene international scholars focusing on the development of skills within both formal and informal educational contexts and their valuation in the labor market. The conference will feature a select group of presenters, alongside a poster session for local researchers from the host institutions. Presentations and the keynote speech will be accessible via Zoom to an external audience.
IZA World of Labor panel discussion on health and the labor markets
IZA World of Labor discussion on the economics of sport
IZA World of Labor discussion on the economics of education
IZA World of Labor discussion on the economics of crime
IZA World of Labor discussion on higher education
IZA World of Labor discussion on the environment and the labor market
Working from home increases work-home distances
Intergenerational mobility and credit
Mental health at scale
Parental investments
How differences in job search drive the gender earnings gap
From steel to skills