The Intended and Unintended Effects of Promoting Labor Market Mobility

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Caliendo, Marco; Kunn, Steffen; Mahlstedt, Robert
• 署名单位: University of Potsdam; IZA Institute Labor Economics; Leibniz Association; DIW Berlin - Deutsches Institut fur Wirtschaftsforschung; Maastricht University; IZA Institute Labor Economics; University of Copenhagen
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01397
• 发表日期: 2026
• 关键词: RELOCATION ASSISTANCE; migration; POLICY; income; unemployment; Germany

摘要

We investigate the causal effects of financial incentives supporting geographical mobility among unemployed workers on their job search behavior and labor market outcomes. Exploiting regional variation in the promotion of mobility programs along administrative borders of German employment agency districts, we show that promoting mobility-as intended-causes job seekers to increase their search radius, apply for, and accept distant jobs. At the same time, local job search is reduced with adverse consequences for reemployment and earnings. A detailed analysis of the underlying mechanisms suggests spatial search frictions as the driver of the unintended adverse labor market effects.