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The effects of unemployment benefits in Italy: evidence from an institutional change

Author

Listed:
  • Alfonso Rosolia

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Paolo Sestito

    (Bank of Italy)

Abstract

We document the effects of a change in the Italian Ordinary Unemployment Benefits Scheme on the job search process. As of January 2001, the replacement rate was raised from 30% to 40% and benefits� duration extended from 6 to 9 months for workers aged 50 or more. Our results show that (a) the average duration of benefits' collection increased by around one month for individuals entitled to 3 additional months, while it did not change significantly for those only exposed to higher replacement rates; (b) the pace of re-employment is never found to be statistically different across regimes, although point estimates for those exposed to a longer duration consistently indicate a 2 to 4 percentage points lower probability of re-employment at several horizons. Graphical evidence suggests that job-separation rates did not change with the new regime, while take-up apparently did, although the clear cyclical pattern could bias the picture. We conclude that, if any, the behavioural response induced by the change, must have been modest in economic terms. We discuss the reasons why the response may have been so subdued.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfonso Rosolia & Paolo Sestito, 2012. "The effects of unemployment benefits in Italy: evidence from an institutional change," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 860, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_860_12
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chetty, Raj, 2006. "A general formula for the optimal level of social insurance," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(10-11), pages 1879-1901, November.
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    3. Nicola Pavoni & G. L. Violante, 2007. "Optimal Welfare-to-Work Programs," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 74(1), pages 283-318.
    4. Baily, Martin Neil, 1978. "Some aspects of optimal unemployment insurance," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 10(3), pages 379-402, December.
    5. Hopenhayn, Hugo A & Nicolini, Juan Pablo, 1997. "Optimal Unemployment Insurance," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 105(2), pages 412-438, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco D'Amuri & Salvatore Lattanzio & Benjamin S. Smith, 2023. "The anatomy of labor cost adjustment to demand shocks: Germany and Italy during the Great Recession," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1411, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    2. D’Ambrosio, Anna & Scrutinio, Vincenzo, 2022. "A few Euro more: benefit generosity and the optimal path of unemployment benefits," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117803, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Yakut, Aykut Mert & de Bruin, Kelly, 2023. "The importance of having a more realistic welfare transfer determination rule: A CGE analysis for Ireland," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1310-1325.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    unemployment insurance; unemployment duration; replacement rate.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings

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