Working Paper. No 313: Taxes, benefits and labour force participation: A survey of the quasi-experimental literature
Lundberg, J. & Norell, J.Publication year
2018
Published in
Ratio Working Paper
Abstract
We review the literature that uses quasi-experimental methods to estimate the elasticity of labour force participation with respect to the financial gain from work. We find a wide range of elasticities, with an average of 0.38. 26 out of 31 papers find elasticities larger than 0.1, providing strong evidence that individuals respond to incentives on the extensive margin of labour supply. Elasticities are larger for women, and have declined over time.
*Revised 26 February 2020