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Finnish unemployment: observations and conjectures

Author

Listed:
  • Jaakko Kiander

    (Government Institute for Economic Research)

  • Jaakko Pehkonen

    (School of Business and Economics, University of Jyväskylä)

Abstract

In this study we analyze the factors behind the Finnish unemployment shock of the 1990s. The analysis is based on labour demand, wage-setting and current account equations that form a structural labour market model. The results of this model are compared to those obtained from a reduced form unemployment equation. We find that the both approaches yield relatively similar results. The main factor causing the dramatic increase in Finnish unemployment in the early 1990s seem to have been the real interest rate shocks of the years 1989–92. In addition to interest rates, there are other explaining variables although they are of minor importance. They include domestic supply side factors such as increased tax wedge and replacement ratio, and variables related to the economy’s external constraint. These are the terms of trade and the economy’s foreign indebtedness.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaakko Kiander & Jaakko Pehkonen, 1999. "Finnish unemployment: observations and conjectures," Finnish Economic Papers, Finnish Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 94-108, Autumn.
    • Handle: RePEc:fep:journl:v:20:y:1999:i:1:p:94-108
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer Hunt, 1999. "Has Work-Sharing Worked in Germany?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(1), pages 117-148.
    2. Seppo Honkapohja & Erkki Koskela & Jouko Paunio, 1996. "The depression of the 1990s in Finland : an analytic view," Finnish Economic Papers, Finnish Economic Association, vol. 9(1), pages 37-54, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jaakko Pehkonen, 1999. "Wage formation in Finland, 1960-1994," Finnish Economic Papers, Finnish Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 82-91, Autumn.
    2. Marika Karanassou & Hector Sala & Pablo F. Salvador, 2008. "Capital accumulation and unemployment: new insights on the Nordic experience," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 32(6), pages 977-1001, November.
    3. Erkki Koskela & Roope Uusitalo, 2003. "The Un-Intended Convergence: How the Finnish Unemployment Reached the European Level," CESifo Working Paper Series 878, CESifo.
    4. Petri Böckerman & Markus Jäntti, 2005. "Is Variation in Hours of Work Driven by Supply or Demand? Evidence from Finnish Manufacturing Industries," Labor and Demography 0505012, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Alho, Kari, 2002. "The Equilibrium Rate of Unemployment and Policies to Lower It: The Case of Finland," Discussion Papers 839, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
    6. Fregert, Klas & Pehkonen, Jaakko, 2008. "Causes of structural unemployment in Finland and Sweden 1990-2004," Working Papers 2008:14, Lund University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J60 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - General

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