Job Loss, Firm‐Level Heterogeneity and Mortality: Evidence from Administrative Data

38 Pages Posted: 16 Nov 2015

See all articles by Hans Bloemen

Hans Bloemen

VU University Amsterdam; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Tinbergen Institute; Netspar

Stefan Hochguertel

VU University Amsterdam; Tinbergen Institute

Jochem Zweerink

Utrecht University

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Abstract

This paper estimates the effect of job loss on mortality for older male workers with strong labor force attachment. Using Dutch administrative data, we find that job loss due to sudden firm closure increased the probability to die within five years by a sizable 0.60 percentage points. Importantly, this effect is estimated using a model that controls for firm‐level worker characteristics, such as firm‐level average mortality rates for mortality during the four years prior to the year of observation. On the mechanism driving the effect of job loss on mortality, we provide evidence for an effect running through stress and changes in life style.

Keywords: job loss, mortality, treatment effect

JEL Classification: C21, I10, J63

Suggested Citation

Bloemen, Hans and Hochguertel, Stefan and Zweerink, Jochem, Job Loss, Firm‐Level Heterogeneity and Mortality: Evidence from Administrative Data. IZA Discussion Paper No. 9483, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2690731 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2690731

Hans Bloemen (Contact Author)

VU University Amsterdam ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, ND North Holland 1081 HV
Netherlands

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Schaumburg-Lippe-Str. 7 / 9
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Tinbergen Institute

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

Netspar

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

Stefan Hochguertel

VU University Amsterdam ( email )

Dept Econ (FEWEB)
De Boelelaan 1105
1081HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 59 86033 (Phone)
+31 20 59 89870 (Fax)

Tinbergen Institute

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

Jochem Zweerink

Utrecht University ( email )

Kriekenpitplein 21-22
Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 EC
Netherlands

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