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Quantile estimates of counterfactual distribution shifts and the impact of minimum wage increases on the wage distribution

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  • Stewart, Mark

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

This paper presents a method for estimating the effects of a policy change on an outcome distribution that uses a comparator quantile rather than a control group and provides methods for estimating the variances of the estimators. The empirical analysis presents estimates of “spillover” effects of increases in the UK minimum wage, i.e. effects on the wages of those already above the minimum, under different counterfactual distribution shift assumptions. Evidence is presented against a simple scaled counterfactual. On the basis of the proposed counterfactual estimated spillover effects are small and in most cases do not reach above the 5th. percentile. Key words: Policy change effects ; Distributional effects ; Counterfactual distributions ; Quantile variances ; Minimum wages ; spillover effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Stewart, Mark, 2011. "Quantile estimates of counterfactual distribution shifts and the impact of minimum wage increases on the wage distribution," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 958, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:958
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mark B. Stewart, 2012. "Wage inequality, minimum wage effects, and spillovers," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 64(4), pages 616-634, October.

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