The evolution of the gender gap in industrialized countries

Barbara Petrongolo and Claudia Olivetti

No 11034, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Women in developed economies have made major inroads in labor markets throughout the past century, but remaining gender differences in pay and employment seem remarkably persistent. This paper documents long-run trends in female employment, working hours and relative wages for a wide cross-section of developed economies. It reviews existing work on the factors driving gender convergence, and novel perspectives on remaining gender gaps. The paper finally emphasizes the interplay between gender trends and the evolution of the industry structure. Based on a shift-share decomposition, it shows that the growth in the service share can explain at least half of the overall variation in female hours, both over time and across countries.

Keywords: Female employment; Gender gaps; Industry structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E24 J16 J31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-gro, nep-his, nep-hme, nep-hrm, nep-lab and nep-mac
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Evolution of Gender Gaps in Industrialized Countries (2016)
Working Paper: The Evolution of Gender Gaps in Industrialized Countries (2016)
Working Paper: The evolution of gender gaps in industrialized countries (2016)
Working Paper: The Evolution of Gender Gaps in Industrialized Countries (2016)
Working Paper: The Evolution of Gender Gaps in Industrialized Countries (2016)
Working Paper: The Evolution of Gender Gaps in Industrialized Countries (2016)
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