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Women's labor market opportunities and equality in the household

Author

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  • Grönqvist, Erik

    (Department of Medical Sciences, Health Economics, Centre for Health Economic Research (HEFUU) and Uppsala Center for Labor Studies (UCLS), Uppsala University.)

  • Okuyama, Yoko

    (Department of Economics, UCLS, and Uppsala Center for Fiscal Studies (UCFS), Uppsala University)

  • Hensvik, Lena

    (Department of Economics and UCLS, Uppsala University)

  • Thoresson, Anna

    (Reykjavik University, Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy (IFAU) and UCLS, Uppsala University.)

Abstract

We study how changes in couples’ relative wages affect the division of childcare. Using a nationwide wage reform that raised pay in the female-dominated teaching profession, we find that closing 25% of the earnings gap between female teachers and their male spouses led to a 12% reduction in the childcare time gap. This result holds when we extend the analysis to major pay raises for women at the population level. Data support the mechanism that women reduce their childcare time when the spouse can step in by working more from home. Policies that address female pay can foster household equality if men have access to flexible work arrangements.

Suggested Citation

  • Grönqvist, Erik & Okuyama, Yoko & Hensvik, Lena & Thoresson, Anna, 2025. "Women's labor market opportunities and equality in the household," Working Paper Series 2025:11, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:ifauwp:2025_011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • 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

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