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.
The labor market impact of Covid-19 on immigrants
Job loss from Covid-19 was greater among immigrants than the native-born in most developed countries
The labor market disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns impacted immigrant workers more severely than native-born workers in the US, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries. Immigrant workers in most of these countries were more vulnerable to the pandemic since they were more likely to be employed in jobs that are not as easy to perform remotely. The labor market recovery for both groups in the US was rapid, and by Fall 2020, the employment gaps between immigrant and native-born workers, both for men and women, had returned to pre-pandemic levels.
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Entrepreneurship for the poor in developing countries Updated
Well-designed entrepreneurship programs show promise for improving earnings and livelihoods of poor workers
Yoonyoung Cho , May 2024Can entrepreneurship programs be successful labor market policies for the poor? A large share of workers in developing countries are self-employed (mostly own-account workers without paid employees, often interchangeably used as micro entrepreneurs). Their share among all workers has not changed much over the past two decades in the developing world. Entrepreneurship programs provide access to finance (or assets) and advisory and networking services as well as business training with the aim of boosting workers’ earnings and reducing poverty. Programs vary in design, which can affect their impact on outcomes. Recent studies have identified some promising approaches that are yielding positive results, such as combining training and financial support.MoreLess -
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
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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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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
IZA World of Labor discussion on inflation and the labor market
IZA World of Labor panel on the macroeconomics of labor productivity
IZA World of Labor video on inequality and post transition in emerging economies
IZA World of Labor discussion on labor market evaluation
IZA World of Labor discussion on the economics of education
IZA World of Labor discussion on labor market institutions
IZA World of Labor discussion on measuring poverty with Bruce D. Meyer
IZA World of Labor panel discussion on environment and health
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.
IZA World of Labor Panel discussion on inequality, unemployment, wage setting and inflation
Essential yet vulnerable
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