A big deficiency in the labour markets of the three Arab countries (Jordan, Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territory) examined in this paper arises certainly from the low employment rates of women but also from the low employment rates of men. An implication of this finding is that the economy does not generate enough jobs, not just for women but also for men. This result is generally applicable to other Arab countries that have more or less the same labour market characteristics as those in the three countries examined in this paper. Adding to the low employment rates of Arab women and Arab men the previous two findings (that is, employment segregation and wage differences) implies that the income and output losses estimated in this paper are bound to increase further in the future as Arab women’s participation in the labour force increases. In the dire times the 5. Arab region currently faces, more and better use of female workers may prove to be one of the strongest drivers for economic growth and social development.

CAWTAR | 2019-02-04 15:26:07

Studies

​/Gender equality//Female labour force participation//Labour market//Employment//Female workers//Equal pay//Gender gap in force participation//Indicators//Jordan//Lebanon/Palestine/​