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Boosting Job Growth in the Western Balkans
Author:
Dmitriy Kovtun
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,
Alexis Meyer-Cirkel
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,
Ms. Zuzana Murgasova
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,
Mr. Dustin Smith
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, and
Suchanan Tambunlertchai
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Series:
IMF Working Papers
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2014: Issue 016
Language:
English
Publication Date:
28 Jan 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484391037.001
ISBN:
9781484391037
ISSN:
1018-5941
Pages:
30
Keywords:
WP; labor market; unemployment benefit; Balkan countries; labor market outcome; labor market problem; Labor markets; The Balkans; natural rate of unemployment; Labor migration; cost factor; labor market challenge; labor market practice; labor market rigidity; practices in the Balkan countries; unemployment spell; labor-leisure decision; labor market performance; Unemployment; Labor costs; Wages; Unemployment rate; Europe
Legal-disclaimer:
IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
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Labor markets in the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) are characterized by some of the highest unemployment and low employment rates in Europe. We analyze the poor labor market outcomes in these countries by comparison with the New Member States of the European Union and advanced European economies. Our findings suggest that long-lasting labor market weaknesses in the Western Balkans have structural roots: the institutional setup of the labor markets, labor cost factors, and especially the unfinished transition process. Finally, we offer policy recommendations for boosting job creation.
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Cover IMF Working Papers
IMF Working Papers
ISSN:
1018-5941
Publisher:
International Monetary Fund