Workers often remain in their jobs even when they know they may get higher wages elsewhere, raising questions about the effectiveness of pay transparency laws. This column draws on a large German survey to examine how information frictions shape labour market outcomes. The findings suggest that workers are better informed than many policymakers assume, but […]
Wealthy parents influence their children’s wealth directly – such as through inheritances or gifts – and indirectly, through family and environmental factors. This column compares the wealth positions of parents in the Netherlands in 1992 and their children in 2022. Children with wealthier parents consistently attain higher wealth rankings compared to their peers, especially among […]
Adult skills play a crucial role in shaping productivity. This column uses data from the 2023 OECD Survey of Adult Skills to analyse the relationship between productivity and the level and allocation of skills across industries. Differences in skill levels account for one-quarter of productivity gaps between the OECD average and the top three performers. […]
A growing body of research highlights the importance of mobility in the global knowledge economy, but has largely focused on high-income countries. This column addresses the crucial role of international labour mobility in fostering innovation in Africa, demonstrating that short-term visits, especially for business or professional purposes, significantly increase the likelihood of firms innovating in […]
