A multidimensional employment quality index for Brazil, 2002-11

In countries where informal, insecure jobs are widespread, traditional labour market indicators - such as the unemployment rate, labour force participation rate and wages - are not necessarily the most meaningful. The authors use a multidimensional employment quality index to analyse the Brazilian labour market over the period 2002-11, across three dimensions: earnings, formality (measured by the existence of an employment contract and social security contributions) and job tenure. The results show a significant increase in employment quality overall, especially in the years 2009-11, but with considerable differences between wage employees and self-employed workers, and between industries.

Duke Scholars

Author Federico C Huneeus Economics