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The Economic Consequences of Being Widowed by War: A Life-Cycle Perspective

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  • Braun, Sebastian Till

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Stuhler, Jan

    (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

Abstract

Despite millions of war widows worldwide, little is known about the economic consequences of being widowed by war. We use life history data from West Germany to show that war widowhood increased women's employment immediately after World War II but led to lower employment rates later in life. War widows, therefore, carried a double burden of employment and childcare while their children were young but left the workforce when their children reached adulthood. We discuss the mechanisms contributing to this counterintuitive life-cycle pattern and examine potential spillovers to the next generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Braun, Sebastian Till & Stuhler, Jan, 2024. "The Economic Consequences of Being Widowed by War: A Life-Cycle Perspective," IZA Discussion Papers 16973, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16973
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    female labor force participation; labor market careers; war widows; World War II;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-

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