I am an Associate Professor at the Institute for Economic Policies, Universidad Andres Bello (Santiago, Chile).
My current research interests are Macroeconomics, Labor Economics, and Political Economy.
Here you can find my C.V.
I am a principal researcher in the Nucleus LM2C2 (Labor Market Mismatch: Causes and Consequences) and an adjunct researcher of the MIPP (Millenium Institute on Market Imperfections and Public Policy)
I am also co-director of the SABE project (Sistema de Análisis de Bolsas de Empleo), which gathers and harmonizes real-time data from job ads and applicants from multiple online job boards in Chile and classify demand and supply side into occupations using machine learning techniques.
These are profiles in: Google Scholar, RePeC, SSRN, Research Gate, ORCID, Scopus.
Contact: benjamin (at) benjaminvillena.com
Jul 7, 2025: Some comments on the new developments on arbitrary tariffs of the Trump administration in Emol.
Jul 3, 2025: I participated in an interview (La Tercera / Radio Duna) on the effects of the Middle East geopolitical situation and its impact on the Chilean economy.
Jul 2, 2025: Some of my comments on the project that reduces bureaucratic procedures for investments in Chile in Emol.
Jul 2, 2025: Some comments about the short term growth in Chile quoted in Publimetro.
Jun 28, 2025: A new column on Ex-Ante about the complex war scenario in the world and its impacts on the Chilean economy.
Jun 18, 2025: Appearance in a note on CNN Chile about the new rise of layoffs in Chile during April 2025 and the slow pace of the labor market.
Jun 13, 2025: My new column on the proposal for reducing severance payments in the Chilean labor market in La Segunda.
Jun 5, 2025: I received an award from Universidad Andres Bello as a distinguished researcher in the Sustainable Global Goal 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth"
Jun 4, 2025: I gave an interview on Radio Agricultura on recent developments in the Chilean labor market, especially concerning the new raises in minimum wages and unemployment.
May 27, 2025: I presented our paper "Labor Markets, Inequality, and Hiring Selectivity" (joint with Alessandra Pizzo) at the FAU-IAB Macro-Labor Seminar, Nuremberg, Germany. Great conversations and valuable feedback.
May 24, 2025: A new column on the policy challenges ahead for the rapid ageing of the Chilean labor market in La Segunda (joint with my former student Vicente Abrigo, now at the Institute for Public Policies (IPP) UNAB)
May 22, 2025: I presented our paper "Working hours policy reform: micro and macro impacts" (with M. Tejada)" at the Economics Seminar, Universidad CUNEF, Madrid. Great questions and participation around an issue under discussion in several economies.
May 21, 2025: I presented our paper "Labor Markets, Inequality, and Hiring Selectivity" (joint with Alessandra Pizzo) at the Economics Seminar, Universidad Carlos III (UC3M), Madrid. It was a great opportunity to talk to UC3M Faculty and receive valuable feedback.
May 8, 2025: I received an award from Universidad Andres Bello as a distinguished presence in media, engaging in the diffusion of knowledge to society.