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Why is the share of women willing to work in East Germany larger than in West Germany? A logit model of extensive labour supply decision

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  • Beate Henschel

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyse differences in the labour force participation (LFP) between East and West German women. Using microcensus data in a binary choice model, we distinguish three main explanations for these differences: the skill composition, the regional labour market and childcare availability. As LFP in-creases in the skill-level, the larger share of high-skilled women in East Germany can explain more than 10 percent of the differences. Whereas East German women do not vary their efforts when regional labour market conditions worsen, West German women are discouraged thereof. Female LFP in East Germany is positively influenced by the provision of full-time childcare while West German women do not show any significant reaction.

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  • Beate Henschel, 2008. "Why is the share of women willing to work in East Germany larger than in West Germany? A logit model of extensive labour supply decision," ifo Working Paper Series 56, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifowps:_56
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    Cited by:

    1. Paula E. Gobbi & Juliane Parys & Gregor Schwerhoff, 2018. "Intra‐household allocation of parental leave," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 51(1), pages 236-274, February.
    2. Burkert, Carola & Garloff, Alfred & Schaade, Peter & Herrmann-Schwetje, Andrea & Paul, Anke, 2008. "Frauen und Männer am Ausbildungs- und Arbeitsmarkt in Hessen : Genderbericht Hessen 2007," IAB-Regional. Berichte und Analysen aus dem Regionalen Forschungsnetz. IAB Hessen 200801, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    3. Hanel Barbara & Riphahn Regina T., 2012. "The Employment of Mothers – Recent Developments and their Determinants in East and West Germany," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 232(2), pages 146-176, April.
    4. Bogai, Dieter & Wiethölter, Doris & Partmann, Michael, 2009. "Die Arbeitsmarktsituation für Frauen in Berlin-Brandenburg," IAB-Regional. Berichte und Analysen aus dem Regionalen Forschungsnetz. IAB Berlin-Brandenburg 200901, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    5. Tobias C. Vogt & Fanny A. Kluge, 2013. "Care for money? Mortality improvements, increasing intergenerational transfers, and time devoted to the elderly," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2013-014, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    6. Tobias C. Vogt & Fanny A. Kluge, 2014. "Care for Money?: Mortality Improvements, Increasing Intergenerational Transfers, and Time Devoted to the Elderly," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 721, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    7. Verena Tobsch, 2013. "Betreuung von Schulkindern: ein weiterer Schlüssel zur Aktivierung ungenutzter Arbeitskräftepotenziale?," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 573, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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