Comparing labor market performance: some stylized facts and key findings

Comparative evidence based on key labor market performance indicators is discussed for the US, Japan and Europe in a long-run perspective and, especially, showing the impact of the financial crisis and Great Recession. As for Europe, the huge national and regional level differences are highlighted. In addition, some key findings on labor market performance raised by the empirical studies published in this issue are briefly presented in the wider context of the existing literature and their policy implications are explored.