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Hysteresis in Unemployment Rates? A Comparison between Germany and the US

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  • Hassler Uwe

    (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Statistics and Econometric Methods, RuW-Gebäude, Postfach 49, Grüneburgplatz. 1, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany, and Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung, Mannheim, Germany)

  • Wolters Jürgen

    (Freie Universität Berlin, Statistics and Econometrics, Boltzmannstr. 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

In this paper we compare the unemployment dynamics of the US and Germany with monthly data up to 2008. With data from 1971 on the evidence is mixed when applying descriptive methods or formal unit root tests. When allowing for fractional integration, however, we find similar results to the literature in that shocks to US data seem to be transitory while having permanent effects on German unemployment. This difference in hysteresis, however, depends on the sample. Using recursive and rolling techniques we observe that shocks in US subsamples until the mid-nineties are clearly more transitory than in more recent subsamples.We conclude that hysteresis has turned into a dominating feature also on US labour market more recently.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassler Uwe & Wolters Jürgen, 2009. "Hysteresis in Unemployment Rates? A Comparison between Germany and the US," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 229(2-3), pages 119-129, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:229:y:2009:i:2-3:p:119-129
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2009-2-303
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    References listed on IDEAS

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