Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics
Working Paper Series,
Uppsala University, Department of Economics
No 1998:24: Municipal Labour Demand - Sweden 1988 - 1995
Pål Bergström, Matz Dahlberg () and Eva Johansson ()
Additional contact information
Pål Bergström: Trade and Capital Markets, Postal: SE-banken, Box 160 67, SE-103 22 Stockholm, Sweden
Matz Dahlberg: Department of Economics, Postal: Uppsala University, P.O. Box 513, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
Eva Johansson: Department of Economics, Postal: Uppsala University, P.O. Box 513, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
Abstract: In this paper we investigate the determinants of municipal labour demand in Sweden 1988-1995. Utilising a major grant reform in 1993, through which a switch from mainly targeted to mainly general central government grants occurred, we are able to identify which type of grants that have the largest effects on municipal employment. We find a larger municipal employment elasticity with respect to grants before the reform, implying that the more freedom given to the municipalities, the less they seem inclined to spend on municipal employment. We further find (i) a short run wage elasticity of approximately -0.5 and a long run ditto of approximately -0.9, (ii) a quite sluggish adjustment process: only 60% of the desired change in municipal employment is implemented in the first year, (iii) that the demographic structure is an important determinant of municipal employment, and (iv) that the behavioural pattern is different in "socialist" municipalities.
Keywords: Municipal labour demand; Panel data; Median voter model; Sluggishness
28 pages, November 15, 1998
Full text files
1998wp24.pdf
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