Determinants of female labor force participation in emerging countries

This study investigates the factors that influence female labor force participation (FLFPR) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, focusing on a panel of four GCC countries from 2003 to 2022. It uses several empirical methods, such as fixed effects (FE), generalized least squares with random effects (GLS-RE), maximum likelihood estimation with random effects (ML-RE), and the generalized method of moments (GMM), to produce reliable results. The analysis includes variables such as gross domestic product (GDP), inflation rate (INF), fertility rate (FER), educational attainment (EDU), unemployment rate (UNEMP), urban population (URB), the effects of COVID-19, and indicators of economic recession. The results show that GDP, education, and urbanization have a positive and significant effect on FLFPR, meaning that economic development, better education, and urban living conditions help increase women’s participation in the workforce. On the other hand, the fertility rate is found to have a negative and significant effect on FLFPR, suggesting that having more children can reduce women's job opportunities. These findings point to the need for policies that support economic growth, expand access to education, and promote family planning in order to improve women's participation in the labor market and advance gender equality in the GCC region.