The impact of mandatory military service on labor outcomes. Evidence from Spain
Alternative for the abstract: Using Spanish data, I examine the impact of Military Service (MS) on labor outcomes for men born in 1968 and 1969. To address MS endogeneity, I use a national lottery as an instrumental variable (IV). Results show MS negatively affects various outcomes, depending on ind...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Applied Economics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15140326.2024.2436299 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Alternative for the abstract: Using Spanish data, I examine the impact of Military Service (MS) on labor outcomes for men born in 1968 and 1969. To address MS endogeneity, I use a national lottery as an instrumental variable (IV). Results show MS negatively affects various outcomes, depending on individuals’ work-life status at conscription. For men already in the workforce a year prior, IV estimates reveal significant impacts, particularly for those without mandatory education, notably reducing the likelihood of having a Social Security record. Among those entering the labor market post-lottery, Reduced Form estimates suggest an 8.5 percentage point reduction in employment and a 1.3-year decline in labor market experience. MS also leads to a 20% reduction in earnings, based on conservative estimates. Age-based analysis indicates MS effects extend beyond conscription years, highlighting broader implications beyond incapacitation. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1514-0326 1667-6726 |