Comparative Analysis of Labor Market Dynamics Using Markov Processes : An Application to Informality

Bosch, Mariano ; Maloney, William

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: AGE GROUP;    AGE GROUPS;    BUSINESS CYCLE;    CALCULATION;    DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-4429
RP-ID  :  WPS4429

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This paper discusses a set of statisticsfor examining and comparing labor market dynamics based onthe estimation of continuous time Markov transitionprocesses. It then uses these to establish stylized factsabout dynamic patterns of movement using panel data fromArgentina, Brazil and Mexico. The estimates suggest broadcommonalities among the three countries, and establishnumerous common patterns of worker mobility among sectors ofwork and inactivity. As such, we offer some of the firstcomparative work on labor dynamics. The paper thenparticularly focuses on the role of the informal sector,both for its intrinsic interest, and as a case studyillustrating the strengths and limits of the tools. Theresults suggest that a substantial part of the informalsector, particularly the self-employed, corresponds tovoluntary entry although informal salaried work maycorrespond more closely to the standard queuing view,especially for younger workers.