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Gendered Change: 150 Years of Transformation in US Hours

Author

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  • Ngai, Liwa Rachel
  • Olivetti, Claudia
  • Petrongolo, Barbara

Abstract

We construct consistent estimates of market hours for 1880-2020, including unpaid farm labor, by gender, sector, and margin of labor supply. For 1880-1930, we assemble and harmonize data from roughly one hundred historical sources, extending Census and ACS hours data available from 1940 onward. Women's hours follow a U-shape, men's decline monotonically, and aggregate hours decline before modestly rebounding. We develop a multisector model in which subsistence consumption and uneven productivity growth generate structural transformation and marketization. Initially, structural transformation dominates, reducing market hours while increasing home production and leisure. As agriculture shrinks, marketization gains importance, raising market hours. Gender specialization shapes the relative strength of these forces. Together, they account for all of women's decline in market hours before 1950 and one-fifth of their subsequent rise, as well as 80 percent of men's pre-1950 decline and one-quarter of their subsequent decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Ngai, Liwa Rachel & Olivetti, Claudia & Petrongolo, Barbara, 2026. "Gendered Change: 150 Years of Transformation in US Hours," CEPR Discussion Papers 22111, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:22111
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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