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Underemployment in a gender-segregated labour market

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  • Randi Kjeldstad
  • Erik H Nymoen

Abstract

This article analyses factors behind underemployment in Norway, with a focus on gender. The analysis, based on Labour Force Survey data, shows that economic fluctuations during the latest decade and a half have brought about changing underemployment levels among both women and men. The Norwegian labour market is strongly gender segregated and the processes and characteristics of underemployment differ between male- and female-dominated labour market sectors. The former sectors are generally more sensitive to economic fluctuations than the latter. It is indicated that underemployed men are predominantly temporarily expelled on a part-time basis from their jobs, while women are to a larger extent permanently excluded from longer working-hour contracts in their jobs.

Suggested Citation

  • Randi Kjeldstad & Erik H Nymoen, 2012. "Underemployment in a gender-segregated labour market," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 33(2), pages 207-224, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:33:y:2012:i:2:p:207-224
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X11402238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. José Enrique Rodríguez Hernández, 2021. "Factors determining labor underutilization in Spain by gender before and after the economic crisis," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 42(1), pages 92-115, February.
    3. Lucía Gorjón & Sara de la Rica & Ainhoa Osés, 2025. "Unveiling the drivers of the gender gap in part-time work in Spain," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 16(3), pages 479-567, December.

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