In this text, the authors argue that traditional economic models describing the relationship between unemployment and the rate of change of wages are incorrect, that the stable relationship is a downward-sloping convex curve linking local unemployment and the level of pay.

This work casts doubt on some of the most important ideas in macroeconomics, labour economics, and regional economics. According to macroeconomic orthodoxy, there is a relationship between unemployment and the rate of change of wages. According to orthodoxy in labour economics and regional economics, an area's wage is positively related to the amount of joblessness in the area. "The Wage Curve" suggests that both these beliefs are incorrect. The authors argue that the stable relationship is a downward-sloping convex curve linking local unemployment and the level of pay. Their study, which is one of the most intensive in the history of social science, is based on random samples that provide computerized information on nearly four million people from 16 countries. Throughout, the authors systematically present evidence and possible explanations for their empirical "law" of economics.

Previous research on wages and unemployment across space
theoretical issues
the US wage curve I - basics
the US wage curve II - further tests
Britain's wage curve
wage curves in other European countries
Canada, South Korea, Australia and other nations
summary and conclusions. Appendices: US data files
British data files
European data files
Canadian, Australian and South Korean data files.