Duration and recurrence in unemployment benefits

Using administrative data for the period 2005-2010, we investigate duration and recurrence in unemployment benefits in Spain. The results suggest the existence of (at least) three groups of individuals, each one with different combinations of covered unemployment duration and recurrence. We also find that the impact of the economic crisis has been to increase the duration and the recurrence in unemployment benefits. Our findings support the hypothesis that not only the heterogeneity but also the previous experience of unemployment benefit increase the expected duration in subsequent benefit periods.