Question

Suppose that country A has total labour force of 10,000,000 people, but 5% of these people are just seeking jobs (those just graduate from college for instance). Another 2,000,000 people who are over 16 years old and has ability to work but reluctant to work.

1. Calculate labour force participation rate (LFPR) for country A.
2. In empirical research, lots of researchers found that female participation rates increase dramatically from 1950 to 2011. Please indicate five factors that contribute to this trend, and briefly explain each factor.

Just need to answer question b. PLS type or write clearly, thx.

Answer 1

b) The factors responsible for this are:

1)From 1950 to 2011 the education of women have improved because of the universal education provision. This makes women able candidates for entering job market thus raising their participation rate.

2) Again, from 1950 to 2011 the fertility rate has gone down that is women have less children to care for. This means they have more time to work and thus have raised their participation.

3) The wages for women are increasing due to pressures from various sections of aware public who raised issues of gender inequality. Thus higher wages have incentivized women to raise their participation.

4)With the transition of an economy over time the types of jobs and industry evolves and changes owing to the ever dynamic nature. Previously jobs used to be for women like tea plucking, etc which were limited. However with advent of technology there are other sectors opening up which offer jobs for women. This is another reason.

5)Finally, initially even if women were willing to enter workforce, the social customs often restricted it. However with the changes in perceptions of people these have disappeared and allowed women to enter workforce at free will raising participation.