Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/35274 
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 3446
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
In multilingual labor markets agents with high proficiency in more than one language may be selected into occupations that require high levels of skill in communicating with customers or writing reports in more than one language. In this paper we measure this effect in Catalonia, where two languages, Catalan and Spanish, coexist. Using census data for 1991 and 1996, and controlling for endogeneity of Catalan knowledge, we find that proficiency in speaking, reading and writing Catalan reinforces selection into communication intensive jobs/positions such as entrepreneurial, trade, and service activities; white-collar occupations; and permanent employment. Interestingly, the effect of language on occupational selection is stronger for women than for men.
Subjects: 
Occupational selection
language
labor markets
JEL: 
J24
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.