Occupational Selection in Multilingual Labor Markets

Núria Quella and Silvio Rendon

No 3446, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

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.

Keywords: language; occupational selection; labor markets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J24 J61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 9 pages
Date: 2008-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-knm and nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Published - published in: International Journal of Manpower, 2012, 33 (8), 918-937

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