Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/170770 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10786
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
The term skill mismatch is very broad and can relate to many forms of labour market friction, including vertical mismatch, skill gaps, skill shortages, field of study (horizontal) mismatch and skill obsolescence. In this paper we provide a clear overview of each concept and discuss the measurement and inter-relatedness of different forms of mismatch. We present a comprehensive analysis of the current position of the literature on skills mismatch and highlight areas which are relatively underdeveloped and may warrant further research. Using data from the European Skills and Jobs Survey, we assess the incidence of various combinations of skills mismatch across the EU. Finally, we review the European Commission's country specific recommendations and find that skills mismatch, when referring to underutilised human capital in the form of overeducation and skills underutilisation, receives little policy attention. In cases where skills mismatch forms part of policy recommendations, the policy advice is either vague or addresses the areas of mismatch for which there is the least available evidence.
Subjects: 
skill mismatch
overeducation
skill shortages
skill gaps
European skills and jobs survey
policy
JEL: 
J24
I20
I28
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
927.15 kB





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