Minimum Wages and Spatial Equilibrium: Theory and Evidence

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2019
Volume: 37
Issue: 3
Pages: 853 - 904

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper introduces a spatial equilibrium model that relates earnings, employment, and internal migration responses to minimum wage increases. Population moves to or away from regions that increase minimum wages depending on the labor demand elasticity and on the financing of unemployment benefits. The empirical evidence shows that increases in minimum wages lead to increases in wages and decreases in employment among the low skilled. The labor demand elasticity is estimated to be around 1, which in the model is in line with the migration responses observed in the data. Low-skilled workers tend to leave regions that increase minimum wages.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/702650
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-26