Cross-Country Studies of Unemployment in Australia

Melbourne Institute Working Paper No. 17/00

Date: September 2000

Author(s):

Jeff Borland
Ian McDonald

Abstract

This paper reviews evidence on causes of unemployment in Australia from cross-country studies of the relation between the rate of unemployment and a range of macroeconomic and institutional factors. An overview of the evolution of this literature and of the possible institutional factors that might affect labour market outcomes is presented. The main findings from the different types of studies are summarised, and results from some studies are applied to show the particular set of factors that account for increases in the rate of unemployment in Australia between the 1960s and 1990s. Finally, an evaluation of some problems with cross-country studies is presented.

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