Educational upgrading and returns to skills in Latin America : evidence from a supply-demand framework, 1990-2010

Date

2011

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

IZA, Bonn, DE

Abstract

This paper studies the evolution of wage differentials and trends in the supply of workers by educational level for 16 Latin American countries (between 1990 and 2000). Results show that within a context of constant rise in the relative supply of skilled and semi-skilled workers, the returns from completion of secondary education fell in the last two decades. The increase in returns from tertiary education experienced in the 1990s was reversed during the decade of 2000. The reversal trend in labor demand can be partially attributed to a recent boom in commodity prices that could favor an unskilled workforce.

Description

Keywords

INCOME DISPARITY, LATIN AMERICA, LABOUR LAW, LABOUR MARKET, LABOUR POLICY, SOCIAL POLICY, SOCIAL SECURITY, SKILLED LABOUR, HIGHER EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HUMAN CAPITAL, LABOUR SUPPLY, SOUTH AMERICA, INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Citation

DOI