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Taxes, benefits and labour force participation: A survey of the quasi-experimental literature

PublicationArticle (with peer review)
Arbetsmarknad, entitlements, favoritism, fiscal crises, inequality, Jacob Lundberg, John Norell, political economy, public debt, Skatter

Abstract

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 0.36. 27 out of 35 papers find elasticities larger than 0.1, providing strong evidence that individuals respond to incentives on the extensive margin labour supply. Elasticities are larger for women, and have declined over time.

Lundberg, J. & Norell, J. (2020). Taxes, benefits and labour force participation: A survey of the quasi-experimental literature. Journal of the Finnish Economic Association, 1(1), 60-77.

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