Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP15856
Authors: Christina Gathmann; Kristiina Huttunen; Laura Jernström; Lauri Skvsvuori; Robin Stitzing
Abstract: Using administrative labor market data matched to mortality and patient records, we document that male job displacement increases mortality for both men and his partner. For every 10,000 displaced men, there are 110 additional deaths. Of those, 60% accrue to the displaced worker but 40% are due to excess spousal mortality. We further document a stunning gender asymmetry: while male job displacement generates persistent health effects, no such dire consequences are observed after a woman’s job loss. We explore four explanations for this pattern: risk sharing through spousal labor supply; earnings losses and public insurance; widowhood; and family structure.
Keywords: Job Displacement; Health Spillovers; Couples; Labor Economics
JEL Codes: J63; I10
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| male job displacement (J63) | increased mortality for displaced workers (J63) |
| male job displacement (J63) | increased mortality for partners (J12) |
| male job displacement (J63) | persistent health effects (I12) |
| female job loss (J63) | no significant health consequences (I12) |
| male job displacement (J63) | health spillovers for partners (I12) |
| male job displacement (J63) | family income decline (E25) |
| family income decline (E25) | health spillovers (I12) |