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Decomposition of the Unemployment Gap between Canada and the United States: Duration or Incidence?

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  • Cédric Tille

Abstract

This paper examines whether the unemployment gap between Canada and the US arises from longer unemployment spells or a higher risk of experiencing unemployment in Canada, as the former case has stronger policy implications. We find that the Canadian situation is characterized by longer unemployment spells for men, and a higher risk of experiencing unemployment for women. This indicates that the policy against unemployment should be targeted on the long-term unemployed to reduce the future persistence of unemployment, and that further research in the exact causes of the higher duration of unemployment is relevant.

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  • Cédric Tille, 1998. "Decomposition of the Unemployment Gap between Canada and the United States: Duration or Incidence?," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 24(s1), pages 90-102, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:24:y:1998:i:s1:p:90-102
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Michele Campolieti, 2011. "The ins and outs of unemployment in Canada, 1976–2008," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(4), pages 1331-1349, November.
    2. Tiff Macklem & Francisco Barillas, 2005. "Recent Developments in the Canada-US Unemployment Rate Gap: Changing Patterns in Unemployment Incidence and Duration," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 31(1), pages 101-108, March.

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