Abstract

PARADA, Cecilia. Empleo femenino, pobreza y desigualdad. Un análisis de microdescomposiciones Uruguay (1991-2012). El trimestre econ [online]. 2016, vol.83, n.330, pp.371-404. ISSN 2448-718X.

This paper analyses the effect of the increase in female employment on income distribution in Uruguay between 1991 and 2012. In particular, this paper studies the impact on inequality and poverty. The methodology employed is a micro-decomposition proposed by Bourguignon et al. (1998). This methodology allows to partially capture the effect of the increase on female employment and to distinguish between effects generated by changes in employment status and those produced by changes in worked hours. Results suggest that, the increase in female employment has had statistically significant effects, despite not being the most important when it comes to explaining the evolution of income distribution. Changes in female employment contributed to reducing poverty levels throughout the period studied and, although it had modest results on de concentration of income at the beginning of the period, effects were more pronounced towards the end.

Keywords : income distribution; poverty; inequality; micro-decompositions; female employment; Uruguay.