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PAUVRETE - POVERTY 

. Estimates of poverty and social exclusion in Australia : A multidimensional approach, R. Scutella, R. Wilkins and W. Kostenko, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Melbourne, Working paper, n° 26/09, December, 68 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : We measure the extent of poverty and social exclusion in Australia using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. For each individual, we construct a measure of social exclusion that recognises its multidimensionality, including its potential variability in depth at a point in time and in persistence over time. We distinguish seven dimensions or domains, as proposed in Scutella et al. (2009): material resources; employment; education and skills; health and disability; social; community; and personal safety. For each of these seven domains, several indicators of social exclusion are produced. A simple ‘sum-score’ method is then used to estimate the extent or depth of exclusion, with our measure a function of both the number of domains in which exclusion is experienced and the number of indicators of exclusion present within each domain. Sensitivity of findings to alternative weighting regimes for the indicators and to alternative methods, proposed by Capellari and Jenkins (2007), is examined. Persistence of exclusion is also briefly considered. Our exclusion measure identifies 20 to 30 per cent of the Australian population aged 15 years and over as experiencing ‘marginal exclusion’ at any given point in time. Four to six per cent are ‘deeply excluded’, and less than one per cent are ‘very deeply excluded’. We find that, although there are commonalities in the demographic composition of the socially excluded and the income poor, there are also some important differences. For example, persons 65 years and over represent a much smaller share of the most ‘excluded’ group than they do of the ‘poorest’; and couple and single families with children represent a larger share of the excluded than they do of the poor.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Australie / Australia

. The "Great  Recession" and redistribution : Federal antipoverty policies, G. Burtless, Institute for Research on Poverty, Madison, Fast focus, n° 4, December, 6 p., (2009).
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Etats-Unis / United States

. Income poverty and income support for minority and immigrant children in rich countries, T. M. Smeeding and alii, Institute for Research on Poverty, Madison, IRP discussion paper, n° 1371-09, December, 25 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : The Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) and the databases underlying the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) allow estimates of the extent to which immigrant and nonimmigrant children are poor across a wide range of rich nations. These data also allow estimates of the effects of social transfers that reduce poverty amongst all families with children. For all of the fourteen countries in the combined sample, children in migrant families have greater market-income poverty rates and greater disposable income poverty rates than do children in native-born families by a factor of about 2 to 1. Still, safety nets are important for all such families. For instance, before transfers, more than half of children in migrant families in France and Sweden are in poverty; however, after transfers, these rates are more than halved in these nations for both migrant and native-born children. In contrast, in the United States (US) the antipoverty effect of social transfers for both native and migrant families is negligible, because net transfers overall are insignificant in comparison with other rich countries. Thus the differences in benefits across countries, for both migrants and natives, are greater than are the differences within countries for these same groups. If the United States is to do better in fighting child poverty and realizing the economic and social potential of all of its children, it needs to expand its efforts on behalf of both immigrant and native children.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Europe, Etats-Unis / Europe, United States

. In-work transfers in good times and bad : simulations for Ireland, O. Bargain and K. Doorley, Institute for the Study of Labor, Bonn, IZA discussion paper, n° 4644, December, 37 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : In-work transfers are often seen as a good trade-off between redistribution and efficiency, asthey alleviate poverty among low-wage households while increasing financial incentives to work. The present study explores the consequences of extending these transfers in Ireland, where support for low-wage households has been of limited scope. The employment and poverty effects of alternative policies are analyzed thanks to counterfactual simulations built using a micro-simulation model, the Living in Ireland Survey 2001 and labour supply estimations. Firstly, we study the effect of recent extensions of the existing scheme, the Family Income Supplement (FIS), and of its replacement by the refundable tax credit in force in the UK. Secondly, little is known about the impact of macro-level changes on the distribution of resources at the household level, which is particularly relevant in a country deeply affected by the current economic downturn. We suggest a preliminary analysis of the capacity of alternative in-work transfer scenarios to cushion the negative impact of earnings losses and cuts in the minimum wage.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Irlande / Ireland

. Knowledge, capabilities and the poverty trap : The complex interplay between technological, social and geographical factors, J. Fagerberg and M. Srholec, Icer, Turin, Working paper, n° 24, 24 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : This paper explores the possibility that technological capabilities, to lead to development, need to be accompanied by a broader set of “social capabilities”, reflecting not only the quality of governance but also the spread of values, beliefs and institutions that encourage members of society to actively contribute to the development process. To investigate this issue, a set of empirical indicators, reflecting the capabilities that have been emphazised in the literature as being important for development, was identified. We also take into account the possibility that these capabilities (and their impact) may be conditioned by historically given factors (related to, for example, geography, demography and history). The paper uses factor analysis to analyse the question of how these indicators interrelate and explores their relationship with economic development. We find that technological and social capabilities are indeed strongly related and, moreover, strongly correlated with economic development. The same does not apply for the second factor suggested by the analysis, which mainly reflects the character of countries’ political systems. Thus it is more important economically what countries do than how they decide on it. A strong negative relationship with development was found for the third factor, reflecting the combined effect of high fertility rates, low education and high frequency of serious disease. Arguably, this contributes to a “vicious circle” that makes it difficult for some very poor countries, especially in the tropics, to escape from poverty.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Données internationales / International data

. Poverty and deprivation in Ireland in comparative perspective, C. T. Whelan and B. Maitre, ESRI, Dublin, Research series, n° 11, September, 98 p., (2009).
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Irlande / Ireland

EMPLOI - EMPLOYMENT

. An illustration of the returns to training programmes : Evaluation of the "Qualifying Contract" in France, S. Pessoa e Costa and St. Robin, Ires, Louvain, Discussion paper, n° 2009-38, August, 31 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : We evaluate the labour market outcomes of a French training programme for youth, using a non- experimental sample of individuals who completed their studies (or dropped out) in 1998 and were observed until 2003. We use propensity score matching to estimate the impact of participation on three outcome variables: the net monthly wage, the monthly income and the probability of employment. We nd a positive impact of participation on all three outcome variables. Non parametric robustness checks con rmed our results. We explain these results, which contrast with those of previous French studies, by the very strong training content of the programme.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : France

. Comparing the relationship between vocational and higher education in Germany and France, J. J. W. Powell and alii, WZB, Berlin, Discussion paper, n° SP1 2009-506, November, 67 p., (2009).

Summary : A number of European initiatives aim to create a European educational space, including vocational training and higher education. Following the logic of difference, we ask whether, despite their different institutionalization, these two sectors in France and Germany react similarly to the Europe-wide Copenhagen and Bologna processes. We compare the relationship between vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE), contrasting a number of influential typologies. Analyzing the current situation, we ask whether these differences in postsecondary education and training systems continue to exist.

Zusammenfassung : Vor dem Hintergrund europäischer Initiativen, einen gemeinsamen Bildungsraum zu schaffen, der sowohl Berufsbildung als auch Hochschulbildung umfasst, werden Reaktionen in Frankreich und Deutschland auf diese Prozesse verglichen. Der Logik der Differenz folgend, wird gefragt, ob es trotz der stark unterschiedlichen Institutionalisierung der Hochschul- und Berufsbildung in beiden Ländern ähnliche Reaktionen auf die Kopenhagen- und Bolognaprozesse gibt. Vor dem Hintergrund verschiedener einflussreicher Typologien, die beide Länder verglichen haben, wird die aktuelle Situation beschrieben, um zu zeigen, ob die Unterschiede in den postsekundären Berufsbildungs- und Hochschulsysteme noch existieren.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : France, Allemagne / France, Germany

. Low-wage employment versus unemployment : Which one provides better prospects for women ?, A. Mosthaf, T. Schank and C. Schnabel, Laser, Nürnberg, Laser discussion paper, n° 36, December, 27 p., (2009).

 Summary : This study analyzes state dependence in low-wage employment of western German women using GSOEP data, 2000-2006. We estimate dynamic multinomial logit models with random effects and find that having a low-wage job increases the probability of being low-paid and decreases the chances of being high-paid in the future, in particular for low-paid women working part-time. However, concerning future wage prospects low-paid women are clearly better off than unemployed or inactive women. We argue that for women low-wage jobs can serve as stepping stones out of unemployment and are to be preferred to staying unemployed and waiting for a better job.

Zusammenfassung : Mit Daten des Sozio-ökonomischen Panels für 2000-2006 untersucht diese Studie die Wahrscheinlichkeit westdeutscher Frauen, in Niedriglohnbeschäftigungen zu verbleiben („state dependence“). Wir schätzen dynamische multinomiale Logit-Modelle mit zufälligen Effekten und finden, dass ein Niedriglohnjob die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Niedriglohntätigkeit in der Zukunft erhöht und die Chancen auf einen Hochlohnjob verringert. Dies gilt insbesondere für geringverdienende Frauen, die Teilzeit arbeiten. Allerdings sind die Aussichten bezüglich künftiger Löhne für Frauen in Niedriglohntätigkeiten deutlich besser als für solche, die arbeitslos oder inaktiv sind. Wir folgern daraus, dass für Frauen Niedriglohnjobs als Sprungbrett aus der Arbeitslosigkeit dienen können und dass sie eine bessere Alternative darstellen als arbeitslos zu bleiben und auf bessere Arbeitsplatzangebote zu warten.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Allemagne / Germany

. Une photographie du marché du travail en 2008 : Résultats de l'enquête Emploi, F. Chevalier et A. Mansuy, Insee, Paris, Insee première, n° 1272, décembre, 4 p., (2009).
Zone géographique / Geographical area : France

. Les retraites du régime général : Perspectives de court terme, P. Joubert et J-B. Oliveau, Cnav, Paris, Cadr'@ge, n° 9, décembre, 6 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : Le domaine de la retraite, fortement dépendant de la démographie, a connu d’importants changements ces dernières années. L’arrivée à l’âge de la retraite de générations nombreuses et les réformes successives ont modifié les évolutions des indicateurs liés à la retraite. Il apparaît nécessaire d’apporter des éclairages sur ces évolutions et sur leurs effets à court terme. Tous les ans, dans le cadre du projet de loi de financement de la Sécurité sociale, des prévisions à quatre ans sont réalisées afin de déterminer l’évolution du nombre de retraités et des dépenses du régime général. Elles sont élaborées à l’aide de Prisme1, le modèle de microsimulation de la Cnav.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : France

REVENU - INCOME

. The gender wage gap as a function of educational degree choices in an occupationally segregated EU country, I. Livanos and K. Pouliakas, Institute for the Study of Labor, Bonn, IZA discussion paper, n° 4636, December, 31 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : This study investigates the extent to which differences in the subject of degree studied by male and female university graduates contributes to the gender pay gap, and the reasons underlying their distinct educational choices. The case of Greece is examined due to the fact that it is an EU country with historically large gender discrepancies in earnings and occupational segregation. Using micro-data from the Greek Labour Force Survey (LFS), the returns to academic disciplines are firstly estimated by gender. It is found that the subjects in which women are relatively over-represented (e.g. Education, Humanities) are also those with the lowest wage returns. Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions subsequently imply that gender differences in the type of degree studied can explain an additional 8.4% of the male female pay gap. Risk-augmented earnings functions of the Hartog-type also indicate that women seek for less risky educations that consequently command lower wage premiums in the job market.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Grèce / Greece

AUTRES DONNEES SOCIALES - OTHER SOCIAL ISSUES

. Apprentissage et mobilité : La dynamique se précise, Cedefop, Thessalonique, Note d'information, décembre, 4 p., (2009).
English version "On the move: learning and mobility come closer "
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Europe

. A child's day : 2006. (Selected indicators of child well-being), J. Lawler Dye and T. Johnson, US Census Bureau, Washington, Current population reports, n° P70-118, December, 20 p., (2009).
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Etats-Unis / United States

. Les inégalités de succès dans l'enseignement supérieur. Quel est le profit des étudiants qui réussissent ?, M. Jaoul-Grammare, Beta, Strasbourg, Document de travail, n° 2009-33, décembre, 27 p., (2009).

Résumé : Dans de précédents travaux (Jaoul-Grammare, 2007, 2008), à partir des approches théoriques de Boudon (1973) et Bourdieu (1988), nous avons montré que plus un individu va loin dans l’enseignement supérieur, plus les facteurs sociaux ont une influence sur son parcours. Partant de là, l’objectif de cet article est d’affiner l’analyse afin de déterminer le profil des individus poursuivant ou stoppant leurs études à deux stades du parcours dans l’enseignement supérieur (après la première année et après la quatrième année). Nous appliquons pour cela une Analyse Factorielle des Correspondances Multiples à la base de données Génération 98 du Cereq, afin de répondre à la problématique suivante : quel est le profil des individus qui réussissent ? Les résultats mettent en évidence plusieurs profils individuels qui soulignent les fortes inégalités qui marquent l’enseignement supérieur français ; inégalités de succès certes mais encore et surtout inégalités de genre, inégalités sociales et inégalités culturelles. Nous mettons également en avant un effet cumulatif ou encore « effet  Mathieu » de ces inégalités.

Summary : In previous papers (Jaoul-Grammare, 2007, 2008), from theoretical approaches of Boudon (1973) and Bourdieu (1988), we showed that the longer is the higher educative path of an individual, the more important is the influence of his social origin on his succes. From this point of view, the aim of this paper is to complete the first analysis in order to determine the contour of individuals who pursue or stop their studies in higher education (after the 1st year and after the 4th year). We lead a Multiple Factorial Analysis on the Cereq Database “Generation 98” in order to answer to the following problem: what is the contour of the students who success? Results show many individual contours and underline inequalities in the French higher education: success inequalities but also gender inequalities, social inequalities and cultural inequalities. We also highlight a cumulative effect or “Matthew effect” of these inequalities.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : France

. Net expenditure on social protection benefits, M. L. Mattonetti, Eurostat, Luxembourg, Statistics in focus, population and social conditions, n° 102/2009, 8 p., (2009).
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Europe

. New estimates of the index of economic well-being for selected OECD countries, 1980-2007, L. Osberg and A. Sharpe, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, Ottawa, CSLS research report, n° 2009-11, December, 106 p., (2009).

Résumé - Summary : This report presents new estimates of the Index of Economic Well-being (IEWB) and its four domains (consumption flows, stocks of wealth, economic equality, and economic security) for 14 OECD countries for the 1980-2007 period. It finds that in 2007 Norway had the highest level of economic well-being and Spain the lowest. Canada ranked ninth among the fourteen countries. Over the 1980-2007 period Denmark enjoyed the most rapid increase in economic well-being, and the Netherlands the slowest. In all 14 countries rate of advance of the IEWB was less than that of GDP per capita. The IEWB addresses most of the recommendations of the recently released report from the Commission for the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress (the Stiglitz report) on what aspects of economic reality an index of economic well-being should capture.
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Pays de l'OCDE / OECD countries

. School evaluation : Current practices in OECD countries and a literature review, V. Faubert, OECD, Paris, OECD education working paper, n° 42, December, 59 p., (2009).
Zone géographique / Geographical area : Pays de l'OCDE / OECD countries