Teaching material

IZA World of Labor is a highly valuable resource for students and lecturers. To make its content even more accessible for teaching this section provides selected IZA World of Labor content related to chapters of a classical labor economics textbook. For each chapter we provide carefully chosen IZA World of Labor articles as well as opinion pieces.

David H. Autor (Massachusetts Institute of Technology and IZA Research Fellow): "The IZA World of Labor is like a textbook that constantly updates itself, never charges you a subscription fee, and that you actually enjoy reading. Like Wikipedia for Labor Economists!"

Richard Bundell (University College of London, Institute for Fiscal Studies, and IZA Research Fellow): "The IZA World of Labor series provides assessable, comprehensive and exciting insights into the very best of labor economics research. It is a brilliant teaching resource for students and faculty alike."

Daniela Del Boca (University of Turin and Collegio Carlo Alberto, Italy, and IZA, Germany): "IZA World of Labor is defined as a tool that provides policy analysts and journalists with relevant and concise information on labor market issues.However, I have used it often myself when I need references starting a new subject and I suggest my students for an overview of a topic. They appreciated it a lot. Besides the quality of the papers I find the structure of IZA World of labor pieces mainly the key findings and the pros and cons particularly useful and compelling."

Ioana Marinescu (University of Pennsylvania): "The IZA World of Labor is an invaluable resource for students and teachers of economics and policy. Each article is written by an expert in the area, and offers a comprehensive and accessible analysis of the evidence, and a summary of pros and cons for each policy. This balanced approach fosters critical thinking around current and new policies."

David Neumark (University of California, Irvine, and IZA Research Fellow): "The IZA World of Labor project has recruited leading experts worldwide on all topics related to labor economics and especially labor market policy - from minimum wages to discrimination to the effects of taxes on labor supply, and more. Experts discuss the core issues, the key takeaways from the evidence, and the pros and cons of the policies considered, in an accessible and concise manner. With hundreds of articles, and an easy-to-navigate interface, both educators and policymakers should be able to quickly identify material appropriate for instruction, and summaries and syntheses of policy findings, and to absorb the conclusions."

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  • Labor market facts and trends

    The performance of labor markets in different countries varies significantly. Understanding labor market facts and trends from an international perspective is essential for comprehending the global workforce landscape, economic growth, talent strategies, shaping effective policies, and fostering cross-country learning and collaboration.

  • Labor supply

    The economics of labor supply refers to the study of individuals' decisions and behaviors regarding the amount of labor they choose to offer in the market. It examines the economic incentives, preferences, constraints, and socio-economic factors that influence individuals' decisions to participate in the labor force, work certain hours, or engage in specific types of employment. The analysis of labor supply plays a crucial role in policy-making, as it provides insights into the behavior of individuals in the labor market. It helps policymakers design effective labor market policies, such as minimum wage laws, tax reforms, social welfare programs, and regulations concerning working hours and conditions.
     

  • Labor demand

    The economics of labor demand focuses on understanding the factors that influence employers' decisions to hire workers and the quantity of labor they demand at different wage levels.
    It analyzes how businesses determine their optimal level of employment by considering various factors, such as the price of labor (wages), the productivity of workers, the cost of other production inputs, technological advancements, and market conditions. The analysis of labor demand is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and labor market participants as it helps inform decisions related to workforce planning, investment in human capital, and labor market policies aimed at promoting job creation and economic stability.

  • Education and human capital

    The economics of education focuses on understanding the economic incentives and returns associated with investments in education and skills. It analyzes the costs and benefits of acquiring education and training, the role of educational institutions and policies, and the impact of human capital on labor market outcomes. It informs policymakers, educators, and individuals on the economic implications of education choices, workforce development strategies, and policies aimed at fostering human capital accumulation.
     

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