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Is a move up the job ladder an escape from poverty?

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel Ampaw
  • Michael Danquah
  • Rajesh Raj Natarajan
  • Kunal Sen

Abstract

Using panels of labour force surveys from Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and India and a recent work status classification, we provide an in-depth analysis of labour mobility up or down the job ladder. This classification allows us to observe job transition possibilities across six work status groups. We examine factors driving upward mobility and probe its association with poverty. We find that people seldom transition from one work status to another across all countries. The prevalence of downward mobility is similar to upward mobility in the four African countries and India.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Ampaw & Michael Danquah & Rajesh Raj Natarajan & Kunal Sen, 2024. "Is a move up the job ladder an escape from poverty?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2024-84, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2024-84
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Barro, Robert J. & Lee, Jong Wha, 2013. "A new data set of educational attainment in the world, 1950–2010," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 184-198.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labour market; Job mobility; job ladder; Poverty; Developing countries;
    All these keywords.

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