ABSTRACT
The female labour integration experienced in Spain between 1987 and 2020 has similarities with current changes in some developing countries. An in-depth analysis of this process can provide elements for understanding what could happen in countries moving out from a traditional model. We use a cohort-based model over the 1987–2020 period to disentangle the female labour force participation in Spain due to changes in patterns of participation over the life cycle (age effect), across generations (cohort effect) and the role of the economic cycle (period effect). We follow up the evolution of birth cohorts (1936–2000) using a “pseudo-panel” from synthetic cohorts from the Spanish labour force Survey (EPA). Our results confirm the age effect, with an increasing trend at the first part of the life course. However, female participation has not been associated with economic recessions or expansions. Spanish women born during the baby boom behave differently at the same age and have different age profiles than millennials (cohort effect). There are at least two aspects to be improved to avoid the setback of the achievements in gender equality: labour precariousness and sharing caregiving responsibilities. Spain still has the growing need to integrate employment and gender policy regulations.
