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April 1989

Unemployment insurance in the U.S. and Europe, 1973-83

Beatrice G. Reubens

In general, comparisons show rising costs, changes in eligibility and benefits, possible disincentives to work, and low replacement rations for unemployed; some industrial countries have altered their unemployment insurance provisions with these problems in mind. This article compares the unemployment insurance programs of the United States and five western European countries ? Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Sweden.

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