Labor Markets

J-PAL’s Labor Markets sector evaluates what works to get job seekers into the workforce, to ease young people’s transitions into the working world, to provide the skills entrepreneurs need to succeed, and to help businesses grow and innovate.

In addition to supporting policymakers in applying evidence from randomized evaluations to their work, sector chairs and staff write policy insights that synthesize general lessons emerging from the research, condense results from evaluations in policy publications and evaluation summaries, and fund new research through the Jobs and Opportunity Initiative

Man looks over resume during a job interview
Policy Insight

Vocational and skills training programs to improve labor market outcomes

While vocational and skills training programs have had mixed results, those that included practical experience, soft-skills training, and job referrals often increased the likelihood of being employed and earnings of people who were targeted. Vocational training programs often helped trainees...

Job seekers work on their applications
Policy Insight

Reducing search barriers for job seekers

Programs focused on reducing job search barriers often improve job seekers’ employment outcomes. These programs can help job seekers increase their search effort, identify where and how to look for jobs, surmount geographic and financial obstacles to finding a job, and communicate qualifications to...

A woman sells fruit to another woman at a market stand while both are wearing face masks over their mouth and nose.
Evaluation

Cash Transfers During a Pandemic: Evidence from a Kenyan Slum

Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to test the impact of providing cash transfers to female entrepreneurs during the pandemic on their business outcomes and behavior. Firm profit, inventory spending, and food expenditures all increased for business owners that received the cash transfer...

young Rwandan woman carrying a sack on her head
Evaluation

Benchmarking Cash to an Employment Program in Rwanda

In Rwanda, researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to compare the impact of Huguka Dukore, a youth employment and training program, to that of cash grants of an equivalent value on several economic outcomes. Huguka Dukore improved hours worked, assets, savings, and subjective well-being, while...

Two people in hard hats at work
Evaluation

Increasing Employment and Earnings through a Skills Development Program for Youth in Côte d'Ivoire

Researchers partnered with the Côte d'Ivoire government to measure the short- and long-term impacts of a public works program, along with complementary trainings on basic entrepreneurship and job search skills. In the short term, the program led to a shift toward wage jobs (as opposed to self...

Kate Orkin
Person

Kate Orkin

Kate Orkin is a faculty member in economics and public policy at the University of Oxford Blavatnik School of Government.

Morgan Hardy headshot
Person

Morgan Hardy

Morgan Hardy is an assistant professor at New York University Abu Dhabi. Her work focuses broadly on private enterprise development and employment in low-income countries.

Sector Chairs

Co-Chair, Labor Markets

Chris P. Dialynas Professor of Economics

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Bruno Crépon photo

Scientific Director, J-PAL Middle East and North Africa

Co-Chair, Labor Markets

Professor

ENSAE and École Polytechnique

Sector Contacts

Lisa Corsetto

Senior Policy Manager, J-PAL Global

Senior Manager of Initiatives, J-PAL Global

Policy Associate, J-PAL Global

Headshot of Natalie Valent

Senior Policy Associate, J-PAL Global