Publication Type

Working Paper

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

12-2001

Abstract

We argue that the degree of substitutability between skilled and unskilled workers in production increases long-term income growth rate. Growth rate reaches its maximum when such factors are perfect substitutes, but falls to zero when they are perfect complements. This model brings together the diverging relative wage and the human-capital-growth literature. Easier substitution absorbs more workers into the skilled profession, and their training fuels human capital accumulation and growth. Our result implies, among other things, that growth is positively related to between-and within-group inequality.

Keywords

Growth, factor substitution, skilled/unskilled wage

Discipline

Economics | Macroeconomics

Research Areas

Macroeconomics

First Page

1

Last Page

25

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

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