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Recent Trends in Labor Supply Decisions among Married Couples in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Seonyoung Park
  • Nicole B. Simpson

Abstract

This paper examines changes in joint labor supply among married US households during the period of trend reversal in aggregate labor supply from the late 1990s to the early 2020s. Married women, particularly those with children, exhibit the most significant increases in work hours, while their husbands experience the largest declines. Using a two-earner life-cycle model, we find that the rise in female wages relative to male wages is central to these patterns, in part by inducing fathers to reallocate time toward childcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Seonyoung Park & Nicole B. Simpson, 2026. "Recent Trends in Labor Supply Decisions among Married Couples in the United States," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 116, pages 599-604, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:116:y:2026:p:599-604
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261121
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    File URL: https://www.aeaweb.org/doi/10.1257/pandp.20261121
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • 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
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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