Employment transitions and labor market exits: Age and gender in the Israeli labor market

This study focuses on the employment difficulties of older workers in the Israeli labor market. Using administrative panel data for the years 2005-2010, it traces the employment transitions of workers and their consequences, focusing on age and gender differences. The findings show that in Israel older workers, men and women alike, are indeed less likely to leave their jobs. However, once out of the labor force, they face difficulties in finding new employment. These difficulties are severer for women than for men. Male workers who experience high instability experience job losses, with no substantial age differences. The wage penalties for women are much lower, probably because of their limited opportunities in terms of earnings.