How to Mitigate the Impact of Economic Downturns on Labor Markets: Evidence from Nicaragua

February 3, 2023

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Format: Chicago

Sandra Marcelino, and Mariana Sans. How to Mitigate the Impact of Economic Downturns on Labor Markets: Evidence from Nicaragua, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2023) accessed November 23, 2024

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.

Summary

This paper studies the drivers of the labor market performance in Nicaragua with a particular focus on informality, to identify vulnerable groups during economic downturns; and estimates the speed of adjustment of employment to shocks. The paper compares this experience with the ones in other CAPDR countries (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama). Our findings are that while the high countercyclical informality in Nicaragua has been the active margin of adjustment during economic downturns mitigating unemployment, the trade-off has been a lower speed of adjustment to shocks hampering the country’s ability to revert to its potential. Policy recommendations relate to mitigating the impact of downturns on employment in Nicaragua, easing adjustments and inequalities in the labor market to hasten the employment recovery and thus, support growth.

Subject: Economic sectors, Financial crises

Publication Details

Pages:

22
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2023/023
Stock No:

WPIEA2023023
ISBN:

9798400232367
ISSN:

1018-5941

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