RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The Long-Term Effects of Youth Unemployment JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 259 OP 293 DO 10.3368/jhr.XLI.2.259 VO XLI IS 2 A1 Mroz, Thomas A. A1 Savage, Timothy H. YR 2006 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/XLI/2/259.abstract AB Using NLSY data, we examine the long-term effects of youth unemployment on later labor market outcomes. Involuntary unemployment may yield suboptimal investments in human capital in the short run. A theoretical model of dynamic human capital investment predicts a rational “catch-up” response. Using semiparametric techniques to control for the endogeneity of prior behavior, our estimates provide strong evidence of this response. We also find evidence of persistence in unemployment. Combining our semiparametric estimates with a dynamic approximation to the lifecycle, we find that unemployment experienced as long ago as ten years continues to affect earnings adversely despite the catch-up response.