Employment, gender equality and family policies: post-Yugoslav countries and the European Union

The central question driving this study is whether and how the employment situation of women aged 20 to 49 in post-Yugoslav countries can be improved. Embracing feminist principles, the initial premise posits that gender equality is not only reflected in lower rates of women’s employment, but also in a higher share of part-time employment. Parenthood emerges as a pivotal factor influencing both the quantity and quality of women’s employment during this life stage. The analysis encompasses gender disparities, as well as variations in employment between the women with at least one child under the age of six and those without children. Data from the Labor Force Survey, from the database of the Statistical Office of the European Union are used. In the socialist era of the former Yugoslavia, women’s full-time employment was relatively high, and the societal norm of both parents being employed was widely embraced. However, the transition to the capitalist system in the late 20th century posed challenges for all former socialist countries, including labor market instability and a decline in women’s employment. Our examination of current employment involves a comparative approach. Slovenia stands out for its remarkably high employment rates among the younger middle-aged women with children under six (exceeding 80%). Notably, Slovenia is the only European Union member state to maintain high employment rates, while simultaneously keeping part-time employment levels relatively low. Nonetheless, gender disparity in employment among women and men without children persists, as observed in Croatia and Serbia. Additionally, the gender gap in part-time employment between these women and men, recorded in Slovenia, is one of the largest. In Serbia, the employment rate of women aged 20-49 is below the EU average, with less than two-thirds employed in 2021, irrespective of parental status. Although part-time employment is not prevalent in post-Yugoslav countries, Slovenia exhibits a higher rate compared to Croatia and Serbia. While some of the most developed European countries have shown that this model can increase the employment rates of mothers with young children, feminist literature argues against it due to its adverse effects on women’s socio-economic status. A potential approach to mitigating the gender gap in employment involves facilitating more flexible working arrangements, ensuring equal access and utilization, particularly where job’s nature permits. Additionally, enhancing employment opportunities for younger middle-aged women without children is imperative.