Labour Force Developments in the Euro Area Since the 1980s

32 Pages Posted: 2 Aug 2005

See all articles by Veronique Genre

Veronique Genre

European Central Bank (ECB)

Ramon Gomez Salvador

European Central Bank (ECB)

Date Written: July 2002

Abstract

This paper aims, first, at assessing the relative importance of working age population and participation rates to explain labour force developments in the euro area between 1983 and 2000. It also compares participation rates in the euro area vis-a-vis the US, considering age and gender groups. It shows that the effect of population growth on labour force developments is losing importance relative to the effects of changes in the participation rate. Indeed, in the last few years, the effects of changes in the participation rate have exceeded those of the increase in working age population. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years. As regards the comparison of the euro area with the US, it shows a continuing large difference in women's participation rate and among the youngest and oldest men's age groups in the US versus the euro area, giving room for future positive contributions coming from participation in the euro area.

Suggested Citation

Genre, Veronique and Salvador, Ramon Gomez, Labour Force Developments in the Euro Area Since the 1980s (July 2002). ECB Occasional Paper No. 4, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=748967 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.748967

Veronique Genre (Contact Author)

European Central Bank (ECB) ( email )

Sonnemannstrasse 22
Frankfurt am Main, 60314
Germany

Ramon Gomez Salvador

European Central Bank (ECB) ( email )

Sonnemannstrasse 22
Frankfurt am Main, 60314
Germany

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