Childcare and Women’s Labor Market Outcomes in Lower-and Middle-Income Countries : A Policy Brief

Twenty-two studies from lower- and middle-income countries rigorously tested if an increase in access to childcare improved mothers’ labor force participation or earnings. All but one study found at least some positive impact on mothers’ labor forc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Halim, Daniel, Perova, Elizaveta, Reynolds, Sarah
Language:English
Published: World Bank, Washington, DC 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099558207202223811/IDU05cb74f9307ca5043dd0bdb0099e589246424
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/37734
Description
Summary:Twenty-two studies from lower- and middle-income countries rigorously tested if an increase in access to childcare improved mothers’ labor force participation or earnings. All but one study found at least some positive impact on mothers’ labor force participation and related outcomes resulting from access to care, an increase in care hours, or a reduction in the cost of care. The results of this review are encouraging; childcare can help improve female labor market outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.