Female labor market participation: what do we know and what really matters?

The research, part of IRPET’s joint activities with the Tuscany Region, was conducted by Sveva Vitellozzi, within IRPET’s Public Economy Research Area, coordinated by Patrizia Lattarulo.

The labor market participation of men and women presents a stark contrast in both high- and low-middle-income countries, suggesting that increased economic growth does not necessarily translate into reduced gender inequality. The objective of this report is to analyze a specific strand of literature to better understand the determinants of female labor market participation, focusing primarily on the origin and persistence of traditional gender roles—according to which women must work within the home while men work outside—the transmission of cultural values ​​between generations, and the role of stereotypes in shaping men’s and women’s occupational choices. The ultimate goal of this report is to demonstrate how this role distinction is rooted in our culture and how its evolution over time is slowly transforming the composition of the labor market.