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Individual Choice or Policies? Drivers of Female Employment in Europe

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  • Lone Engbo Christiansen
  • Ms. Huidan Huidan Lin
  • Ms. Joana Pereira
  • Petia Topalova
  • Ms. Rima A Turk

Abstract

Female labor force participation has increased markedly in many European countries during the past decades. Nonetheless, participation rates remain low in some economies, and a significant gender gap persists in most countries. Using micro-level data to control for factors that influence personal choice, we re-examine the determinants of female employment in Europe. The results highlight the importance of positive attitudes towards women working and individual characteristics such as years of education and number of children. However, even after controlling for these factors, policies are also key drivers of female employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Lone Engbo Christiansen & Ms. Huidan Huidan Lin & Ms. Joana Pereira & Petia Topalova & Ms. Rima A Turk, 2016. "Individual Choice or Policies? Drivers of Female Employment in Europe," IMF Working Papers 2016/049, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2016/049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jennifer L. Hook & Eunjeong Paek, 2020. "A Stalled Revolution? Change in Women's Labor Force Participation during Child‐Rearing Years, Europe and the United States 1996–2016," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 46(4), pages 677-708, December.
    2. Lone Engbo Christiansen & Ms. Huidan Huidan Lin & Ms. Joana Pereira & Petia Topalova & Ms. Rima A Turk, 2016. "Gender Diversity in Senior Positions and Firm Performance: Evidence from Europe," IMF Working Papers 2016/050, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Violaine Faubert, 2019. "Why Has Labour Market Participation Not Fully Recovered in Ireland since the Recession?," European Economy - Economic Briefs 051, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    4. Elke Loichinger & Alexia Prskawetz, 2017. "Changes in economic activity: The role of age and education," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(40), pages 1185-1208.
    5. Brian Micallef, 2018. "Estimating the Impact of Structural Reforms to Increase the Female Participation Rate in Malta," International Journal of Social Science Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 6(8), pages 73-84, August.

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