Determinants of Labour Force Participation by Married Women: The Case of Jakarta

Abstract

This study seeks to identify the determinants of female labour force participation (FLFP), by assessing the influence of a set of socio-demographic, economic and cultural factors on educational class differentials in the LFP of married women in Jakarta A J-shaped pattern of association between education and FLFP is prevalent in many developing countries: less educated women often show LFP rates close to those of well educated women, whereas moderately educated women have lower rates. The study concludes that education is a strong determinant of women's participation in the Jakarta labour force. The J-shaped pattern of association between education and FLFP persisted after standdrdisatton by age, although it was less marked than the literature suggests Few variables were consistently significant for all educational classes, with a different mix of variables influencing FLFP in each group Children below five living at home, however, had a significant negative association with FLFP in all educational classes.

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Notes on contributors

Diah Widarti

This paper is based largely on the author's PhD dissertation, written at Flinders University in South Australia. The author wishes to express her gratitude to USA1D which funded the work, and in particular to Dr Mary Morris of USAID for her valuable comments and encouragement.