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Labour market effects of parental leave in Europe

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  • Yusuf Emre Akgunduz
  • Janneke Plantenga

Abstract

We investigate the aggregate-level effects of parental leave legislation on various labour market outcomes of women in 16 European countries for the period between 1970 and 2010. The paper updates and extends previous findings in the literature. The results show increases in participation rates that diminish with length and generosity of leave schemes. While pure participation numbers may not increase dramatically, there is strong evidence of increases in weekly working hours. On the other hand, a decrease in wages for high-skilled women and amplified occupational segregation are possible results of long parental leave schemes. We conclude with a discussion of the recent debates over extending minimum maternity and parental leave rights on the European level. Copyright , Oxford University Press.

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  • Yusuf Emre Akgunduz & Janneke Plantenga, 2013. "Labour market effects of parental leave in Europe," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 37(4), pages 845-862.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cambje:v:37:y:2013:i:4:p:845-862
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jessica Gabriele Walter, 2018. "The adequacy of measures of gender roles attitudes: a review of current measures in omnibus surveys," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(2), pages 829-848, March.
    3. Bicakova, Alena & Kaliskova, Klara, 2016. "Career Breaks after Childbirth: The Impact of Family Leave Reforms in the Czech Republic," IZA Discussion Papers 10149, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. van Vugt, Lynn & Nieuwenhuis, Rense & Levels, Mark, 2020. "Escaping the motherhood trap: Parental leave and childcare help young mothers to avoid NEET risks," Research Memorandum 033, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).
    5. Lembcke, Franziska & Nöh, Lukas & Schwarz, Milena, 2021. "Anreizwirkungen des deutschen Steuer- und Transfersystems auf das Erwerbsangebot von Zweitverdienenden," Working Papers 06/2021, German Council of Economic Experts / Sachverständigenrat zur Begutachtung der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Entwicklung.
    6. Nikolett Somogyi & Wim Van Lancker & Rossella Ciccia & Sarah Van de Velde, 2021. "The Relationship between Familizing and Individualizing Policies and Mental Health in Parents in Europe," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, February.
    7. Bakker, Vincent & Van Vliet, Olaf, 2019. "Social Investment, Employment Outcomes and Policy and Institutional Complementarities: A Comparative Analysis across 26 OECD countries," MPRA Paper 96140, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Vu, Khoa & Glewwe, Paul, 2022. "Maternity benefits mandate and women’s choice of work in Vietnam," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    9. Fallon, Kathleen M. & Mazar, Alissa & Swiss, Liam, 2017. "The Development Benefits of Maternity Leave," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 102-118.
    10. Agnieszka Gehringer & Stephan Klasen, 2017. "Labor Force Participation of Women in the EU – What Role do Family Policies Play?," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 31(1), pages 15-42, March.
    11. Michela Bia & German Blanco & Marie Valentova, 2021. "The Causal Impact of Taking Parental Leave on Wages: Evidence from 2005 to 2015," LISER Working Paper Series 2021-08, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER).
    12. Rense Nieuwenhuis & Teresa Munzi & Jörg Neugschwender & Heba Omar & Flaviana Palmisano, 2019. "Gender Equality and Poverty are Intrinsically Linked," LIS Working papers 759, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    13. Andrea Schäfer & Karin Gottschall, 2015. "From wage regulation to wage gap: how wage-setting institutions and structures shape the gender wage gap across three industries in 24 European countries and Germany," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 39(2), pages 467-496.
    14. Cecilia Machado & Valdemar Neto & Christiane Szerman, 2023. "Firm and Worker Responses to Extensions in Paid Maternity Leave," CESifo Working Paper Series 10736, CESifo.
    15. Knoester, Chris & Li, Qi & Petts, Richard, 2021. "Attitudes about Paid Parental Leave: Cross-national comparisons and the significance of gendered expectations, family strains, and extant leave offerings," SocArXiv pmby8, Center for Open Science.
    16. Helen Kowalewska, 2021. "Bringing Women on Board? Family Policies, Quotas and Gender Diversity in Top Jobs," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(4), pages 735-752, August.

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