The structure of the paper is as follows. Section A proposes that the starting point for policy discussion should be the employment problems of those young people in developing and transition countries who are at the greatest disadvantage, rather than merely those who are unemployed. In section...

The objective of this policy note is to assist the Chinese government in assessing implementation of the unemployment insurance (UI) program to date, identifying key challenges, and exploring possible policy responses. The note begins with a background section on recent developments in the...

This paper investigates how enforcement of labor regulation affects firm size and other firm characteristics in Brazil. The authors explore firm level data on employment, capital, and output, city level data for economic city characteristics and new administrative data measuring enforcement of...

This paper gives an overview on current demographic trends and projected population change in Europe and neighboring regions. The main focus of the analysis is on Western and Central Europe. Today this world region has a total population of 500 million. Available forecasts until the year 2050...

Based on consecutive labor force surveys, this study examines labor market dynamics during the first decade of the Estonian transition to market. the results show that, similar to other transition economies: 1) Estonias employment and labor force was reduced; 2) patterns of mobility profoundly...

The Korean vocational education and training (VET) system is heralded as one of the key factors contributing to the countries past economic growth. VET has played an important role in developing a skilled labor force during Korea's economic development. However, with the increasing importance of...

This paper asks whether the increased openness and technological innovation in East Asia have contributed to an increased demand for skills in the region. The author explores a unique firm level data set across eight countries. Results strongly support the idea that greater openness and...

Available studies show that the lack of decent work opportunities for youth is probably one of the most daunting problems faced by countries in South-East Europe (SEE). Yet, the lack of comprehensive, integrated and centralized databases on youth labor market disadvantage in transition countries...

Sri Lanka's population is predicted to age vary fast during the next 50 years, bringing a slowdown of labor force growth and after 2030its contraction. Based on a 2006 representative survey of old people in Sri Lanka, the paper examines labor market consequences of this process, focusing on...

To what extent have macro and structural reforms in many developing countries affected the labor market? Are current policy settings in the labor market adequate to cope with the current challenges of a more dynamic but also more risky economic environment? Are there examples of successful labor...