Women's Labour Force Participation and the Distribution of Household Incomes: Evidence from Cross-National Data

This study investigates the effects of women's labor force participation on household income inequ ality. The theoretical background is examined, an econometric model i s specified and tested, and a simulation is performed. The results sh ow that the direction and strength of the income-distribution effects vary with the level of women's participation. Starting from low leve ls, a rise in women's activity rates intensifies income inequality, b ut the disequalizing tendency diminishes as participation continues t of participation are attained.