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The invisible family load and the gender earnings gap in Kenya

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  • Vitellozzi, Sveva
  • Cecchi, Francesco
  • Rapallini, Chiara

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of the family load – the invisible cognitive and emotional burden of household management and childcare – on the gender earnings gap. We focus on two main components of this gap: labor productivity and job selection. We conduct an experiment in Nairobi randomly triggering family load-related thoughts and then assigning participants to perform manual or cognitive tasks. The family load reduces productivity for women on average. This effect is entirely driven by performance in the manual task, with no impact on the cognitively demanding one, but with no discernible productivity changes for men. Negative income effects for women persist in a subsequent session in which participants are given the choice of which task to perform. Yet, we find that it is treated men who change job preferences towards less remunerated but less cognitively challenging ones. We interpret this as evidence of a gender-differentiated effect of the family load, weighing substantially more on women in terms of productivity and income. Men, however, are far from immune to it: often the main income earners in a household, they respond by seeking safer income sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Vitellozzi, Sveva & Cecchi, Francesco & Rapallini, Chiara, 2025. "The invisible family load and the gender earnings gap in Kenya," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:172:y:2025:i:c:s0014292124002630
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Barigozzi & Pietro Biroli & Chiara Monfardini & Natalia Montinari & Elena Pisanelli & Sveva Vitellozzi, 2025. "Beyond Time: Unveiling the Invisible Burden of Mental Load," Papers 2505.11426, arXiv.org.
    2. Vitellozzi, Sveva & Savadori, Lucia & Davis, Kristin E. & Azzarri, Carlo & Kinuthia, Dickson & Ronzani, Piero, 2025. "Breadwinner role and economic decision-making: Experimental evidence from Kenya," GSSP working papers 2398, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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