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Women's labour force participation in nineteenth‐century England and Wales: evidence from the 1881 census enumerators’ books

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  • Xuesheng You

Abstract

This article uses a new source of data, namely the full sample of the 1881 census enumerators’ books, to study female labour force participation. It examines the interaction between labour demand and supply to gauge their relative importance in determining female labour force participation rates (LFPRs). Three main findings emerge from the current article. First, there is an unmistakable link between labour demand and female LFPRs. High levels of female labour force participation are found in areas where there were industries with ample demand for female labour. Second, supply‐side factors also had clear effects on female LFPRs. However, they can only operate within the limit imposed by the demand‐side conditions. Third, female migration did not fundamentally change the spatial patterns of female LFPRs. Overall, this article argues that the demand side of the female labour market was the most important factor in determining female LFPRs in nineteenth‐century England and Wales.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuesheng You, 2020. "Women's labour force participation in nineteenth‐century England and Wales: evidence from the 1881 census enumerators’ books," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 73(1), pages 106-133, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ehsrev:v:73:y:2020:i:1:p:106-133
    DOI: 10.1111/ehr.12876
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    Cited by:

    1. Youssouf Merouani & Faustine Perrin, 2022. "Gender and the long-run development process. A survey of the literature [Rethinking age heaping: A cautionary tale from nineteenth-century Italy]," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 26(4), pages 612-641.
    2. van Lieshout, Carry & Smith, Harry & Montebruno, Piero & Bennett, Robert, 2019. "Female entrepreneurship: business, marriage and motherhood in England and Wales, 1851–1911," MPRA Paper 101452, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Smith, Harry & Bennett, Robert J. & van Lieshout, Carry & Montebruno, Piero, 2020. "Households and entrepreneurship in England and Wales, 1851–1911," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 106262, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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