Female Labor Supply: Why is the US Falling Behind?

Francine Blau and Lawrence Kahn

No 7140, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In 1990, the US had the sixth highest female labor participation rate among 22 OECD countries. By 2010, its rank had fallen to 17th. We find that the expansion of "family-friendly" policies including parental leave and part-time work entitlements in other OECD countries explains 28-29% of the decrease in US women's labor force participation relative to these other countries. However, these policies also appear to encourage part-time work and employment in lower level positions: US women are more likely than women in other countries to have full time jobs and to work as managers or professionals.

Keywords: labor supply; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J16 J22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20 pages
Date: 2013-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-lma and nep-ltv
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (137)

Published - published in: American Economic Review: Papers & Proceedings, 2013, 103 (3), 251-256

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Working Paper: Female Labor Supply: Why is the US Falling Behind? (2013)
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