Regional earnings convergence: The case of Northern Ireland

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Abstract
Black B. (1985) Regional earnings convergence: the case of Northern Ireland, Reg. Studies 19, 1–7. This paper analyses the rapid increase in the earnings of Northern Ireland male manual workers relative to the United Kingdom average which has taken place in recent decades. It identifies four factors which help explain this convergence. First, there has been a big increase in hours worked in Northern Ireland relative to the UK average since 1961. Second, the influence of changing industrial structure is highlighted. In addition, the impact of a range of government policies and developments in the institutional process of pay determination on earnings is examined. The paper concludes that the convergence reflects the erosion of regional distinctiveness as earnings levels are increasingly influenced by national factors.