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Mismatch: A Framework for Thought

Author

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  • Richard Jackman
  • Richard Layard
  • S Savouri

Abstract

The rise in European unemployment is often blamed on increased mismatch between labour supply and demand- either by age, skill or region. To investigate this, we first develop models to explain differences in unemployment rates - both where labour supply is given and where it responds through labour mobility. Evidence supporting the model is presented using regional data for Britain and the US. We then ask how the intersectoral dispersion in unemployment rates is related to the overall average unemployment rate. We conclude from our model that average unemployment increases with the variance of relative unemployment rates across groups. Since this variance is substantial, it explains a good part of total unemployment. But, since the variance has not risen for skill groups or regions, it cannot explain the overall rise in European unemployment. We then turn to policy. If labour supply is given, there is a strong case for taxes and subsidies to redirect demand to high unemployment groups. But if there is a perfect labour mobility (infinitely elastic supply across groups), then even with job rationing there is no efficiency case for intervention except where there are externalities. With partial labour mobility the conclusion lies in between. Given the positive externalities of training and possible congestion externalities of migration, there may be a case for subsidies to training and to unemployment in high-unemployment areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Jackman & Richard Layard & S Savouri, 1990. "Mismatch: A Framework for Thought," CEP Discussion Papers dp0001, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp0001
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Vincenzo Cassino & Richard Thornton, 2002. "Do changes in structural factors explain movements in the equilibrium rate of unemployment?," Bank of England working papers 153, Bank of England.
    2. David G. Blanchflower & Andrew Oswald, 1995. "International Wage Curves," NBER Chapters, in: Differences and Changes in Wage Structures, pages 145-174, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Cameron, G. & Muellbauer, J., 1999. "Earnings, Unemployment, and Housing: Evidence from a Panel of British Regions," Economics Papers 1999-w7, Economics Group, Nuffield College, University of Oxford.
    4. Howard J. Wall & Gylfi Zoega, 2002. "The British Beveridge curve: A tale of ten regions," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 64(3), pages 257-276, July.
    5. Pablo Burriel-Llombart & Jonathan Thomas, 2001. "Skill imbalances in the UK labour market: 1979-99," Bank of England working papers 145, Bank of England.
    6. Gemma Garcia, 1998. "Unemployment and vacancies in Spain: Labour mismatch and active labour market policy," ERSA conference papers ersa98p182, European Regional Science Association.
    7. Fahr, René & Sunde, Uwe, 2002. "Estimations of Occupational and Regional Matching Efficiencies Using Stochastic Production Frontier Models," IZA Discussion Papers 552, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Carlo Altavilla & Floro Ernesto Caroleo, 2013. "Asymmetric Effects of National-based Active Labour Market Policies," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(9), pages 1482-1506, October.
    9. Altavilla, Carlo & Caroleo, Floro Ernesto, 2009. "Unintended Effects of National-based Active Labour Market Policies," IZA Discussion Papers 4045, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    10. Vassilis Monastiriotis, 2008. "The Emergence of Regional Policy in Bulgaria: regional problems, EU influences and domestic constraints," GreeSE – Hellenic Observatory Papers on Greece and Southeast Europe 15, Hellenic Observatory, LSE.
    11. Blanchflower, David G & Oswald, Andrew J, 1994. "Estimating a Wage Curve for Britain: 1973-90," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 104(426), pages 1025-1043, September.
    12. René Fahr & Uwe Sunde, 2002. "On the Effects of Career Choice: Matching Efficiency of Different Occupations and Education Levels," 10th International Conference on Panel Data, Berlin, July 5-6, 2002 B1-1, International Conferences on Panel Data.

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