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Female Labour Supply, Human Capital and Welfare Reform

Author

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  • Blundell, Richard

    (University College London)

  • Costa Dias, Monica

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies, London)

  • Meghir, Costas

    (Yale University)

  • Shaw, Jonathan

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies, London)

Abstract

We consider the impact of tax credits and income support programs on female education choice, employment, hours and human capital accumulation over the life-cycle. We analyze both the short run incentive effects and the longer run implications of such programs. By allowing for risk aversion and savings, we quantify the insurance value of alternative programs. We find important incentive effects on education choice and labor supply, with single mothers having the most elastic labor supply. Returns to labor market experience are found to be substantial but only for full-time employment, and especially for women with more than basic formal education. For those with lower education the welfare programs are shown to have substantial insurance value. Based on the model, marginal increases to tax credits are preferred to equally costly increases in income support and to tax cuts, except by those in the highest education group.

Suggested Citation

  • Blundell, Richard & Costa Dias, Monica & Meghir, Costas & Shaw, Jonathan, 2013. "Female Labour Supply, Human Capital and Welfare Reform," IZA Discussion Papers 7375, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7375
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labour supply; human capital; welfare reform;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household

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