Work Incentives and the Probability of Leaving Unemployment in the Slovak Republic

Abstract

The system of unemployment benefits and subsistence benefits in Slovakia has potentially large disincentive effects with respect to the outflow from unemployment to a job. Especially low educated unemployed and unemployed with young children are often faced with replacement ratios which are close to 100%. We investigate whether the potential effects have an actual meaning. Using data from subsequent labour force surveys we analyze the (hazard) rates at which unemployed workers find jobs. We find no evidence of disincentive effects of the Slovak unemployment system.