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Measuring Gender Gaps in Time Allocation in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Carlos Campaña

    (Department of Applied Economics and Public Management, UNED
    Global Labor Organization
    Nebrija University)

  • Jose Ignacio Gimenez-Nadal

    (University of Zaragoza
    Global Labor Organization)

  • Jorge Velilla

    (University of Zaragoza
    Global Labor Organization)

Abstract

This paper explores the gender gap in time allocation in European countries, offering a comparison of the 2000s and the 2010s, along with an explanation of the documented gender gaps, based on social norms and institutional factors. The results show that the gender gap in both paid and unpaid work has decreased in most countries, but with a significant level of cross-country heterogeneity in the size of the gender gaps. More traditional social norms are related to greater gender inequalities in paid and unpaid work, while countries with better family-friendly policies and a greater representation of women in politics and in the labour market exhibit smaller gender inequalities. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of gender gaps in Europe, and attempts to monitor the progress towards the elimination of gender inequalities. Despite that some degree of gender convergence in paid and unpaid work has taken place, there remain inequalities in the distribution of labour in European countries, and possible solutions may be related to social norms and family-friendly policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Carlos Campaña & Jose Ignacio Gimenez-Nadal & Jorge Velilla, 2023. "Measuring Gender Gaps in Time Allocation in Europe," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 165(2), pages 519-553, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:165:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-022-03026-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-022-03026-0
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