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
How does the one child policy impact social and economic outcomes?
A strict policy on fertility affects every aspect of economic life
The 20th century witnessed the birth of modern family planning and its effects on the fertility of hundreds of millions of couples around the world. In 1979, China formally initiated one of the world’s strictest family planning programs—the “one child policy.” Despite its obvious significance, the policy has been significantly understudied. Data limitations and a lack of detailed documentation have hindered researchers. However, it appears clear that the policy has affected China’s economy and society in ways that extend well beyond its fertility rate.
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Measuring poverty within the household
Standard poverty measures may drastically understate the problem; the collective household model can help
A key element of anti-poverty policy is the accurate identification of poor individuals. However, measuring poverty at the individual level is difficult since consumption data are typically collected at the household level. Per capita measures based on household-level data ignore both inequality within the household and economies of scale in consumption. The collective household model offers an alternative and promising framework to estimate poverty at the individual level while accounting for both inequality within the household and economies of scale in consumption.MoreLess -
How to attract international students? Updated
Studying abroad benefits the students, the host country, and those remaining at home
Arnaud Chevalier , May 2022In knowledge-based economies, attracting and retaining international students can help expand the skilled workforce. Empirical evidence suggests that open migration policies and labor markets, whereby students can remain in the host country post-study, as well as good quality higher education institutions are crucial for successfully attracting international students. Student migration can positively affect economic growth in both sending and receiving countries, even though migrants themselves reap most of the gains, mainly through higher earnings.MoreLess -
Presenteeism at the workplace
Working when sick is a widespread phenomenon with serious consequences for workers, firms, and society
Claus Schnabel , May 2022Many workers admit that at times they show up for work even though they feel sick. This behavior, termed “presenteeism,” is puzzling since most workers do not incur financial losses when staying home sick. The various reasons behind presenteeism are person-related (e.g. individuals’ health or job attitude) or work-related (e.g. job demands and constraints on absence from work). Working when sick can have positive and negative consequences for workers’ performance and health, but it also affects co-workers’ well-being and firms’ productivity. There are various strategies as to how firms can address presenteeism.MoreLess -
Gross domestic product: Are other measures needed? Updated
GDP summarizes only one aspect of a country’s condition; other measures in addition to GDP would be valuable
Barbara M. Fraumeni , April 2022Gross domestic product (GDP) is the key indicator of the health of an economy and can be easily compared across countries. But it has limitations. GDP tells what is going on today, but does not inform about sustainability of growth. The majority of time is spent in home production, yet the value of this time is not included in GDP. GDP does not measure happiness, so residents can be dissatisfied even when GDP is rising. In addition, GDP does not consider environmental factors, reflect what individuals do outside paid employment, or even measure the current or future potential human capital of a country. Hence, complementary measures may help to show a more comprehensive picture of an economy.MoreLess
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May 10, 2022
Ukraine’s Roma refugees face rejection in Poland; Climate change: 1.5C warming limit close to being broken
Today’s global news summary brings news from Poland, Spain, and the world and discusses issues as diverse as Roma refugee discrimination, climate change, and informal work. -
Apr 26, 2022
Emmanuel Macron wins a second presidential term; More than 11 million Ukrainians believed displaced
Today’s global news summary brings news affecting France, Ukraine, and Saudi Arabia, and discusses issues as diverse as the French election, refugee flows, and LGBTQ rights. -
Apr 12, 2022
Americans are not saving enough for retirement; Scotland’s unemployment rate has fallen but so has real wage growth
Today’s global news summary brings news from the US, Scotland, and the UK and discusses issues as diverse as retirement, unemployment, and higher education. -
Apr 05, 2022
India’s unemployment rate is declining; Thousands of UK workers are taking part in a four-day week trial
Today’s global news summary brings news affecting India, the UK, and the world, and discusses issues as diverse as unemployment, four-day week trials, and climate change.
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Jun 01, 2022 - Jun 02, 2022
5th IZA Workshop on Gender and Family Economics: "Families as an Insurance Mechanism"
Online
The focus in 2022 will be on family economics and centered around: "Families as an Insurance Mechanism".
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Jun 03, 2022 - Jun 05, 2022
Canadian Economics Association: 56th Annual Meetings of the Canadian Economics Association
Ottawa, Ontario
The conference is hosted by Carleton University. Professor David Green of the University of British Columbia is the program chair, and Professor Frances Woolley of Carleton University is the local organizer.
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Jun 08, 2022 - Jun 09, 2022
21st IZA/SOLE Transatlantic Meeting of Labor Economists (TAM)
Online
The deadline for submission is March 31, 2022. Decisions of acceptance or rejection will be announced not later than April 30, 2022.
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Jun 10, 2022 - Jun 11, 2022
2nd IZA/CINCH/AHIL Workshop: The Economics of Long-Term Care and Healthy Aging
Online
The workshop agenda is related to important issues for IZA’s new program area in Environment, Health, and Labor Markets, and to the broader IZA mission of studying the connection between demographic changes and the world of work. The workshop will bring together a small group of economists working on Long-Term Care in different countries and consist of a mix of early career and more established researchers.
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Jun 12, 2022 - Jun 14, 2022
1st Conference on International, Sustainable and Climate Finance and Growth
Naples, Italy
All papers and workshops in the broad fields of International, Climate and Green finance, welcoming in particular their interactions with each other and how they can aid the sustainable growth of economies, corporations and organizations are welcome.
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Jun 14, 2022 - Jun 15, 2022
9th IZA Workshop: Environment, Health and Labor Markets
Online
The aim of the 2022 workshop of IZA's Environment, Health and Labor Markets program area is to bring together researchers analyzing the impact of environmental factors and health policies on labor market outcomes, human capital outcomes, industrial activity, production decisions and demographic outcomes.
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
IZA World of Labor Panel Discussion on Women in Leadership
Transgender people face significant economic challenges
The importance of extracurricular activities at school for future managers
School closures and effective in-person learning during Covid-19: When, where, and for whom