Gravity with unemployment

Title data

Heid, Benedikt ; Larch, Mario:
Gravity with unemployment.
In: Journal of International Economics. Vol. 101 (2016) . - pp. 70-85.
ISSN 0022-1996
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinteco.2016.03.008

Project information

Abstract in another language

Quantifying the welfare effects of trade liberalization is a core issue in international trade. Existing frameworks assume perfect labor markets and therefore ignore the effects of aggregate employment changes for welfare. We develop a quantitative trade framework which explicitly models labor market frictions. To illustrate, we assess the effects of trade and labor market reforms for 28 OECD countries. Welfare effects of trade agreements are typically magnified when accounting for employment changes. While employment and welfare increase in most countries, some experience higher unemployment and lower welfare. Labor market reforms in one country have small positive spillover effects on trading partners.