The Dynamics of Social Assistance Benefit Receipt in Germany: State Dependence Before and After the 'Hartz Reforms'
Sebastian Königs
No 7977, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
Abstract:
In this article, I study state dependence in social assistance receipt in Germany using annual survey data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) for the years 1995-2011. There is considerable observed state dependence, with an average persistence rate in benefits of 68% comparing to an average entry rate of just above 3%. To identify a possible structural component, I estimate a series of dynamic random-effects probit models that control for observed and unobserved heterogeneity and endogeneity of initial conditions. I find evidence of substantial structural state dependence in benefit receipt. Estimates suggest that benefit receipt one year ago is associated with an increase in the likelihood of benefit receipt today by a factor of 3.4. This corresponds to an average partial effect of 13 percentage points. Average predicted entry and persistence rates and the absolute level of structural state dependence are higher in Eastern Germany than in Western Germany. I find only little evidence for time variation in state dependence including for the years around the Hartz reforms.
Keywords: Hartz reforms; social assistance; welfare benefits; state dependence; Germany (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C23 I38 J60 J64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2014-02
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)
Published - published in: Research in Labor Economics , 2014, 39, 107-150
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Related works:
Working Paper: The Dynamics of Social Assistance Benefit Receipt in Germany: State Dependence before and after the 'Hartz Reforms' (2014)
Working Paper: The Dynamics of Social Assistance Benefit Receipt in Germany: State Dependence Before and After the Hartz Reforms (2013)
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