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To Work or Not to Work? Estimates of Labour Supply Elasticities

Author

Listed:
  • Zuzana Siebertova

    (Council for Budget Responsibility)

  • Matus Senaj

    (National Bank of Slovakia, Research Department)

  • Norbert Svarda

    (Council for Budget Responsibility)

  • Jana Valachyova

    (Council for Budget Responsibility)

Abstract

This paper provides a microeconometric analysis of extensive margin labour supply elasticities in Slovakia. We find that a one percent increase in net wage increases the probability of economic activity by 0.263 percentage points. Taking into account tax and transfer system details valid in 2009-2011, a one percent increase in transfers decreases the semi-elasticity of labour force participation by 0.04 percentage points. These results are broadly in line with the elasticities usually reported in the literature. Our results show that low-skilled, females and the elderly are the groups that are particularly responsive to changes in taxes and transfers. Labour market policies aimed to boost employment should concentrate on increasing marginal gains to work, especially for low-educated individuals and women.

Suggested Citation

  • Zuzana Siebertova & Matus Senaj & Norbert Svarda & Jana Valachyova, 2013. "To Work or Not to Work? Estimates of Labour Supply Elasticities," Working and Discussion Papers WP 5/2013, Research Department, National Bank of Slovakia.
    • Handle: RePEc:svk:wpaper:1026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raj Chetty & Adam Guren & Day Manoli & Andrea Weber, 2013. "Does Indivisible Labor Explain the Difference between Micro and Macro Elasticities? A Meta-Analysis of Extensive Margin Elasticities," NBER Macroeconomics Annual, University of Chicago Press, vol. 27(1), pages 1-56.
    2. Chase, Robert S., 1995. "Women's Labor Force Participation During and After Communism: A Study of the Czech Republic and Slovakia," Center Discussion Papers 28405, Yale University, Economic Growth Center.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucia Mýtna Kureková, 2015. "Policy Puzzles with Roma Employment in Slovakia," Discussion Papers 34, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).
    2. Zuzana Siebertova & Matus Senaj & Norbert Svarda & Jana Valachyova, 2015. "To Work or Not to Work? Updated Estimates of Labour Supply Elasticities," Working Papers Working Paper No. 3/2015, Council for Budget Responsibility.
    3. Miroslav Klucik, 2015. "Fiscal Adjustment in Slovakia: Findings from a Medium-Scale Econometric Model," Working Papers Working Paper No. 1/2015, Council for Budget Responsibility.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labour supply elasticity; extensive margin; Heckman model; probit;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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