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Filling the Gaps: Childcare Laws for Women's Economic Empowerment

Author

Listed:
  • S Anukriti
  • Lelys Dinarte-Diaz
  • Maria Montoya-Aguirre
  • Alena Sakhonchik

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of legislation governing the availability, affordability, or quality of center-based childcare services on women's labor market outcomes around the world. Using a difference-in-difference design, we find that childcare laws increase female labor force participation (FLFP) by up to 2.2 percent. Affordability has the largest positive impact, followed by availability and quality. Results indicate gradual improvements in FLFP post-law enactment, highlighting the role of legislation in addressing gendered caregiving burdens and enhancing women's economic opportunities. These findings underscore the importance of how childcare laws offer instrumental returns in other dimensions of gender equality and economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • S Anukriti & Lelys Dinarte-Diaz & Maria Montoya-Aguirre & Alena Sakhonchik, 2025. "Filling the Gaps: Childcare Laws for Women's Economic Empowerment," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 115, pages 689-694, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:115:y:2025:p:689-94
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251131
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law

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