Female labour force participation in Ghana: The effects of education
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Date
2005-09-04
Authors
Sackey, Harry A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research consortium
Abstract
To participate in the labour market or not to participate appears to be an issue of
survival for women in the Ghanaian economy. Parallel to the rising trend in female
participation rates, there has been a tendency towards a decline in fertility. At the core
of these patterns has been the schooling factor. This study uses data from the Ghana
living standards surveys with demographically enriched information to estimate female
labour force participation and fertility models. We find that female schooling matters
in both urban and rural localities; both primary and post-primary schooling levels
exert significant positive impact on women’s labour market participation, and have an
opposite effect on fertility. We conclude that although the gender gap in education has
become narrower over the years, it is important for government policy to ensure the
sustainability of the female educational gains obtained. Arguably, this is the key
mechanism for enhancing female human capital and productive employment with
favourable impacts on perceptions of ideal family size and fertility preferences.