The effect of structural reforms on employment and the trade–labour link: Robust evidence from Europe and Central Asia

We use Bayesian model averaging techniques to assess the role of different types of structural and institutional variables and their interaction with specific characteristics of the economy, as determinants of employment dynamics for 30 economies in Europe and Central Asia. We find that, once short-run dynamics are controlled for, common structural determinants for the employment rate emerge, including tax rates, human capital, availability of technology, labour market regulation and trade openness. The results show that the effect of labour market regulation on employment outcomes is affected by other characteristics, such as trade openness. Focusing on the trade–labour link, we find that labour market reforms toward a more flexible labour market have a positive impact on employment ratios, and this effect is stronger for economies characterised by relatively low level of trade barriers. In addition, the positive employment effects from labour market regulation reforms are stronger; the less flexible is the initial labour market regulatory framework. These findings bring important policy insights related to the employment potential of further structural reforms and trade integration for the countries in the region.