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Market concentration and the relative demand for college‐educated labour

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  • Anders Akerman

Abstract

If large firms employ relatively more educated workers, will an increase in market concentration increase income inequality by raising the relative demand for skill? I use Swedish employer–employee data from 1997–2016 and find a strong correlation between firm size and the share of college‐educated (‘skilled’) workers. An increase in a sector's market concentration is correlated with a higher skilled wage premium and higher relative employment of skilled workers. This is due mainly to the reallocation of workers across firms. I demonstrate how these findings can be explained by a model of heterogeneous firms where productivity and skill intensity are positively correlated.

Suggested Citation

  • Anders Akerman, 2024. "Market concentration and the relative demand for college‐educated labour," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 91(361), pages 292-319, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econom:v:91:y:2024:i:361:p:292-319
    DOI: 10.1111/ecca.12504
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