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Shifts in Composition of Jobs: Upgrading, Downgrading or Polarization? The Case of Russia 2000-2019

Details

Identification
JRC132708
Publication date
23 February 2023
Author
Joint Research Centre

Description

In this study, we explore the evolution of the job structure in the Russian economy during the first 20 years of this century. Does it change through a consequent substitution of relatively worse (in terms of quality) jobs by better jobs? Or through the destruction of middle quality jobs? Or do we observe stagnation and conservation of the job structure? Structural change of this sort can be brought by various factors among which technological progress and international trade that shape demand for labor of different quality and complexity play a special role. In search for clues to these questions, the authors use large data sets that cover two sub-periods divided by the 2008/9 crisis. The estimates presented in the paper allow rejection of the polarization hypothesis and they document a fast upgrade of the job structure during the 1st sub-period and a stalemate during the 2nd one. Apparently, risks of job polarization are likely to be minimal until economic growth is recovered and a movement to the technological frontier is accelerated. 

Authors

Gimpelson V. and Kapeliushnikov R.

Files

1 MARCH 2023
JRC132708_Shifts in Composition of Jobs: Upgrading, Downgrading or Polarization? The Case of Russia 2000-2019