Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/252267 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 15143
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Occupational mismatch, defined as a discrepancy between workers' qualifications or skills and those required by their job, is a highly debated phenomenon in developed countries, but rarely addressed in developing economies from a comparative perspective. This study investigates the magnitudes of overeducation and overskilling, and their correlates, in four developing Latin American countries that have undergone a rapid and unregulated expansion of tertiary education participation (i.e. Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru). Using a variety of measures derived from PIAAC data, we find that the magnitudes of subjective overeducation, and objective and subjective overskilling are sizable (particularly in Chile and Mexico), albeit lower than OECD estimates. Differences in objective overskilling between the OECD and LAC countries are largely explained by workforce skill levels. We also find that overeducation, overskilling and credential inflation affect those occupations which arguably require less qualifications. Potential supply and demand side explanations for these patterns are discussed.
Subjects: 
Latin America
PIAAC
occupational mismatch
overeducation
overqualification
overschooling
overskilling
JEL: 
O54
I26
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
1.19 MB





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