Questions from Labor Economics


Q: a. How does the exclusion of nonworking welfare recipients affect the

a. How does the exclusion of nonworking welfare recipients affect the calculation of the unemployment rate? Use Tables 525 and 569 of the 2008 U.S. Statistical Abstract to estimate what the 2005 unemp...

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Q: Compare two unemployed workers: one is 25 years old while the

Compare two unemployed workers: one is 25 years old while the other is 55 years old. Both workers have similar skills and face the same wage offer distribution. Suppose that both workers also incur si...

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Q: Suppose the government proposes to increase the level of UI benefits for

Suppose the government proposes to increase the level of UI benefits for unemployed workers. A particular industry is now paying efficiency wages to its workers in order to discourage them from shirki...

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Q: During the debate over a federal spending bill, Senator A proposed

During the debate over a federal spending bill, Senator A proposed changing the schedule for paying out unemployment benefits to be one where benefits were doubled but offered for half the current dur...

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Q: Consider a small island economy in which almost all jobs are in

Consider a small island economy in which almost all jobs are in the tourism industry. A law is passed mandating that all workers in the tourism industry be paid the same national hourly wage, even tho...

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Q: How many hours will a person allocate to leisure activities if her

How many hours will a person allocate to leisure activities if her indifference curves between consumption and goods are concave to the origin?

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Q: Under current law, most Social Security recipients do not pay federal

Under current law, most Social Security recipients do not pay federal or state income taxes on their Social Security benefits. Suppose the government proposes to tax these benefits at the same rate as...

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Q: A worker plans to retire at the age of 65, at

A worker plans to retire at the age of 65, at which time he will start collecting his retirement benefits. Then there is a sudden change in the forecast of inflation when the worker is 63 years old. I...

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Q: Presently, there is a minimum and maximum social security benefit paid

Presently, there is a minimum and maximum social security benefit paid to retirees. Between these two bounds, a retiree’s benefit level depends on how much she contributed to the system over her work...

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Q: Over the last 100 years, real household income and standards of

Over the last 100 years, real household income and standards of living have increased substantially in the United States. At the same time, the total fertility rate, the average number of children bor...

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