What Drives Gender Differences in Unemployment?

Post-communist labour markets provide a remarkable laboratory for analysing gender differences in labour dynamics and unemployment in particular, since unemployment rates rose from zero to double digit levels in a very short time. While there is much evidence explaining the wage gap between men and women, we provide the first systematic analysis of the gender unemployment gap. Using primary data from the Czech Republic and secondary data from a few other transition economies, we apply a method that allows us to pinpoint which transition probabilities between labour market states are driving the difference. The remarkable finding is that the lion's share of the gender gap in the unemployment rates in the Czech Republic, East Germany, Poland and Russia during early transition is explained by one and the same flow: women's lower probability of finding a job from unemployment. This result holds for the Czech Republic even after controlling for demographic, regional and cyclical factors that may affect gender differences in unemployment. Comparative Economic Studies (2007) 49, 128–155. doi:10.1057/palgrave.ces.8100192

Regulated competition in health care: Switching and barriers to switching in the Dutch health insurance system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2006, a number of changes in the Dutch health insurance system came into effect. In this new system mobility of insured is important. The idea is that insured switch insurers because they are not satisfied with quality of care and the premium of their insurance. As a result, insurers will in theory strive for a better balance between price and quality. The Dutch changes have caught the attention, internationally, of both policy makers and researchers. In our study we examined switching behaviour over three years (2007-2009). We tested if there are differences in the numbers of switchers between groups defined by socio-demographic and health characteristics and between the general population and people with chronic illness or disability. We also looked at reasons for (not-)switching and at perceived barriers to switching.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Switching behaviour and reasons for (not-)switching were measured over three years (2007-2009) by sending postal questionnaires to members of the Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel and of the National Panel of people with Chronic illness or Disability. Data were available for each year and for each panel for at least 1896 respondents - a response of between 71% and 88%.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentages of switchers are low; 6% in 2007, 4% in 2008 and 3% in 2009. Younger and higher educated people switch more often than older and lower educated people and women switch more often than men. There is no difference in the percentage of switchers between the general population and people with chronic illness or disability. People with a bad self-perceived health, and chronically ill and disabled, perceive more barriers to switching than others.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The percentages of switchers are comparable to the old system. Switching is not based on quality of care and thus it can be questioned whether it will lead to a better balance between price and quality. Although there is no difference in the frequency of switching among the chronically ill and disabled and people with a bad self-perceived health compared to others, they do perceive more barriers to switching. This suggests there are inequalities in the new system.</p