Factors affecting the size of female labour force in Malta

Abstract

Malta's female labour supply increased substantially over the last two decades. However, female participation in Malta remains much lower than that of males and is also the lowest compared to other EU countries. Higher female labour market participation is a top priority for the European Union in order to promote equality of opportunity, higher productivity, and a higher standard of living for all. In this respect. the Lisbon Agenda proposes that Member States strive to increase female participation rates to the targets set for 20I0. This paper describes the factors that are likely to affect the size of the female labour force and explains the results of a time-series analysis of female labour market participation rates in Malta carried out by the present author. On the basis of these results, the paper derives a number of policy implications relating to female participation in the labour market.