Armenia - Labor Market Dynamics : Volume 1. Overview
This study is intended to help Armenian policymakers better understand the main factors behind modest labor market outcomes and to identify policy options to create more and better jobs. The report is based on data from administrative statistics, labor force surveys, and household surveys. The objective of the study is to determine the main factors behind poor labor market outcomes in Armenia: high unemployment of long duration despite rapid economic growth. To do so, it will assess, first, the key characteristics of the demand for labor. These include (a) the impact of macroeconomic policies on job growth; (b) wage flexibility and unit labor costs; (c) cost-of-doing-business factors, including costs, risks, and barriers to competition faced by firms; and (d) employment promotion legislation and labor market institutions. Recommendations are made on policies that can promote an effective and sustainable increased demand for labor; second, the key characteristics of the supply of labor, including the impact of long-term demographic developments and labor migration, and the impact of social benefits on the reallocation of labor. Policy options are analyzed that can support the development of an efficient supply of labor to a modern high-wage market economy; and, third, the mechanisms by which employers and workers are brought into contact with each other, and recommend policies that support efficient and effective labor market institutions. The report consists of two volumes. Volume I provides an overview of the study and summarizes its conclusions. Volume II provides a more technical and detailed analysis of various aspects of labor market transition in Armenia.
Summary: | This study is intended to help Armenian
policymakers better understand the main factors behind
modest labor market outcomes and to identify policy options
to create more and better jobs. The report is based on data
from administrative statistics, labor force surveys, and
household surveys. The objective of the study is to
determine the main factors behind poor labor market outcomes
in Armenia: high unemployment of long duration despite rapid
economic growth. To do so, it will assess, first, the key
characteristics of the demand for labor. These include (a)
the impact of macroeconomic policies on job growth; (b) wage
flexibility and unit labor costs; (c) cost-of-doing-business
factors, including costs, risks, and barriers to competition
faced by firms; and (d) employment promotion legislation and
labor market institutions. Recommendations are made on
policies that can promote an effective and sustainable
increased demand for labor; second, the key characteristics
of the supply of labor, including the impact of long-term
demographic developments and labor migration, and the impact
of social benefits on the reallocation of labor. Policy
options are analyzed that can support the development of an
efficient supply of labor to a modern high-wage market
economy; and, third, the mechanisms by which employers and
workers are brought into contact with each other, and
recommend policies that support efficient and effective
labor market institutions. The report consists of two
volumes. Volume I provides an overview of the study and
summarizes its conclusions. Volume II provides a more
technical and detailed analysis of various aspects of labor
market transition in Armenia. |
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