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More Work to Do? Taking Stock of Latin American Labor Markets

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  • Mr. Antonio David
  • Frederic Lambert
  • Mr. Frederik G Toscani

Abstract

We analyze the performance of labor markets in Latin America since the late 1990s. Strong GDP growth during the commodity boom period led to important gains in employment and a fall in the unemployment rate as labor demand outpaced an increasing labor supply. We emphasize the role of informality in the dynamics of labor markets in Latin America. A re-examination of Okun’s law shows that informality dampens changes in unemployment accompanying output fluctuations. Moreover, we present some evidence that countries with higher redundancy costs and cumbersome dismissal regulations, exhibit “excess” informality over and above what would be expected based on their income and educational levels. Labor market reforms could thus contribute to reducing informality and increasing the responsiveness of labor markets to output growth. However, looking at selected case studies of reforms using the synthetic control method, we find mixed results in terms of labor market outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Antonio David & Frederic Lambert & Mr. Frederik G Toscani, 2019. "More Work to Do? Taking Stock of Latin American Labor Markets," IMF Working Papers 2019/055, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/055
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    Cited by:

    1. Mr. Jose L. Torres, 2020. "Youth Unemployment in Uruguay," IMF Working Papers 2020/281, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Mr. Antonio David & Samuel Pienknagura & Mr. Jorge Roldos, 2020. "Labor Market Dynamics, Informality and Regulations in Latin America," IMF Working Papers 2020/019, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Christoph Freudenberg & Mr. Frederik G Toscani, 2019. "Informality and the Challenge of Pension Adequacy: Outlook and Reform Options for Peru," IMF Working Papers 2019/149, International Monetary Fund.
    4. Sulistiyo K. Ardiyono & Arianto A. Patunru, 2022. "The impact of employment protection on FDI at different stages of economic development," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(12), pages 3679-3714, December.

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