FGV EAESP

This paper explores the impact of the sectoral composition of production on the evolution of occupational structures and relative wage differentials. We employ a shift-share analysis over three periods to highlight the relevance of sectoral employment in explaining shifts in the occupational employment structure. We introduce the Weighted Occupational Unemployment by Sector (WOUS), to capture the influence of sectoral demand by occupation and the influence of labor supply on relative wage differentials. We also leverage the sectoral share on total value added (VA) as a proxy for the direct impact of sectoral production composition on relative wages. Finally, we explore the determinants of sectoral wage differentials through an econometric panel regression analysis. Our results suggest that the sectoral composition of output influences the labor demand for distinct skills, affecting the occupational composition of employment and, thus, relative wages.

The working paper is available at the Maastricht Economic and social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT) digital library.