Boosting Job Growth in the Western Balkans

ByDmitriy Kovtun, Alexis Meyer-Cirkel, Zuzana Murgasova, Dustin Smith, Suchanan Tambunlertchai

January 28, 2014

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

Labor markets in the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) are characterized by some of the highest unemployment and low employment rates in Europe. We analyze the poor labor market outcomes in these countries by comparison with the New Member States of the European Union and advanced European economies. Our findings suggest that long-lasting labor market weaknesses in the Western Balkans have structural roots: the institutional setup of the labor markets, labor cost factors, and especially the unfinished transition process. Finally, we offer policy recommendations for boosting job creation.

Subject: Labor, Labor costs, Labor markets, Unemployment, Unemployment rate, Wages

Keywords: Balkan countries, cost factor, Europe, Labor costs, labor market, labor market challenge, labor market outcome, labor market performance, labor market practice, labor market problem, labor market rigidity, Labor markets, Labor migration, labor-leisure decision, natural rate of unemployment, practices in the Balkan countries, The Balkans, Unemployment, unemployment benefit, Unemployment rate, unemployment spell, Wages, WP

Pages:
30
Volume:
2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484391037.001
Issue:
016
Series:
Working Paper No. 2014/016
Stock No:
WPIEA2014016
ISBN:
9781484391037
ISSN:
1018-5941

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