ABSTRACT
However the recent increase in participation has led to higher unemployment accounting for about half of the rise in measured female participation, a result partly caused by the recent stagnation in aggregate labour demand, at least in the ‘official’ sector of the economy. To understand this pattern of participation, and to identify whether the potential growth of female labour supply is likely to be curbed by unfavourable demand conditions, we need to adopt an historical perspective. This paper for this reason makes reference back to the beginning of this century.
