OECD Employment Outlook 2011

This is an annual publication that surveys labour market conditions in OECD countries and analyses issues of interest to researchers and policy makers. New measures of qualification and skill mismatch are presented and lessons drawn for education systems, life-long learning institutions and labour market policies.


The 2011 issue highlights policy issues related to: the recent economic crisis and the adequacy of income support for the unemployed; social protection and labour markets in emerging economies; earnings volatility; and qualifications mismatch. In the wake of the global economic crisis, the question of how unemployment benefits and other income support schemes can best cushion income losses during a deep recession is examined. More generallly, the risk of large declines in earnings during recessions is analysed and structural labour market reforms are identified which can reduce earnings volatility over the business cycle.

Table of Contents
Acronyms and abbreviations
Editorial – Unfinished Business: Investing in Youth
Chapter 1. Income Support for the Unemployed:
How Well Has the Safety-Net Held Up During the “Great Recession”?
Key findings
Introduction
1. What was the impact of the “Great Recession” on OECD labour markets?.
2. What social safety nets were in place when the recession began and how have they changed?
3. Were social safety nets responsive to rising unemployment during the recession?
4. What has the “Great Recession” taught us about income support for the unemployed in deep recessions?
Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Chapter 2. The Labour Market Effects of Social Protection Systems in Emerging Economies
Key findings
Introduction
1. Social protection and labour markets in emerging economies
Part A. The Impact of Unemployment Compensation Systems on Labour Market Outcomes
2. Characterising unemployment compensation systems in emerging economies
3. The impact of unemployment compensation systems on labour market outcomes: A case study for Brazil
4. Building effective unemployment compensation systems in emerging economies
Part B. The Impact of Cash Transfer Programmes on Labour Market Outcomes
5. Cash transfer programmes in emerging economies
6. The impact of cash transfers on labour market outcomes: A case study for South Africa
7. Policy challenges and difficult trade-offs
Part C. Extending Health Protection Coverage: The Labour Market Challenges
8. Health protection systems and their coverage
9. The labour market effects of health/social protection: 
A case study of Mexico
10. The policy challenges
Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Chapter 3. Earnings Volatility: Causes and Consequences
Key findings
Introduction
1. Individual earnings volatility
2. Consequences of earnings volatility
3. Cyclical fluctuations of earnings at the aggregate level
4. Policies and institutions and cyclical fluctuations of earnings and wages
5. Policies and institutions and cyclical fluctuations of the earnings distribution
Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Annex 3.A1. Data Construction and Sources
Chapter 4. Right for the Job: Over-Qualified or Under-Skilled?
Key findings
Introduction
1. What is behind qualification mismatch?
2. Does qualification mismatch reflect a mismatch in skills?
3. What explains qualification mismatch?
4. What is the relevance of qualification mismatch for policy makers?
5. Which labour market, education and training policies can ensure that available skills and competences are not under-utilised?
Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Annex 4.A1. Data Sources and Methodological Issues
Annex 4.A2. Severe Over-Qualification and Under-Qualification
Statistical Annex