Long-run labour market and health effects of individual sports activities.
This microeconometric study analyzes the effects of individual leisure sports participation on long-term labour market variables, health and subjective well-being indicators for West Germany based on individual data from the German Socio-Economic Panel study (GSOEP) 1984-2006. Econometric problems due to individuals choosing their own level of sports activities are tackled by combining informative data and flexible semiparametric estimation methods with a specific way to use the panel dimension of the data. The paper shows that sports activities have sizeable positive long-term labour market effects in terms of earnings and wages, as well as positive effects on health and subjective well-being.
Lechner
Michael
M
Swiss Institute for Empirical Economic Research (SEW), University of St. Gallen, Varnbüelstrasse 14, CH-9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland. Michael.Lechner@unisg.ch
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000191:economics*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018803:Models, Economic; D013177:Sports / Q000191:economics*; D055815:Young Adult