JSGS 815_Poverty Reduction

POVERTY REDUCTION IN SASKATCHEWAN THE FEMALE LABOUR MARKET PARTICIPATION RATE PRESENTED BY: ISABEL HUSID, MPA CANDIDATE SUPPORTED BY: DR. DIONNE POHLER ISSUE Increasing female participation rate in the labour market (FPRLM) is one of many solutions for female poverty reduction. We aim to verify which and how variables affect the participation of women in the labour force to develop effective public policies. FRAMEWORK Saskatchewan has a low female participation rate in the labour market, which has been decreasing: Variable Date Range R R² Relationship found Female employment rate 1995-2014 0.98 0.96 Strong positive Female unemployment rate 1995-2014 -0.67 0.46 Moderate negative Education attainment- College diploma 2001-2011 0.79 0.63 Strong positive Number of children under 6 years old 1995-2009 -0.84 0.71 Strong negative Female median earnings 1995-2011 0.46 0.21 Weak positive Welfare policy (government transfers) 1995-2011 -0.84 0.73 Strong negative Child-care availability 1995-2010 0.425 0.18 Weak positive METHODOLOGY & EMPIRICAL FINDINGS We analyzed the effects of different variables on the participation rate of women across Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. The following table highlights which variables impact the female participation rate in the labour market and in which direction: PUBLIC POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS Increase female employment rates Increasing female employability encourages women to join the labour market and seek work. The relationship is extremely strong and positive. Increase female access to college degrees Female educational attainment is fundamental to increase the competitiveness and the participation of women in the labour force. Earning a college degree increases the range of employment opportunities and the wages for women. Increase assistance to mothers The variable “number of children under 6 years old” has a strong and negative relationship with the FPRLM. On the other hand, our findings also indicate that increased child-care availability does not have a strong relationship with the FPRLM. However, since studies conducted in Quebec show that the FPRLM increased significantly after the adoption of the family policy of subsidized child-care, we consider that adopting these types of policies to help mothers is likely needed . Change welfare policy We found evidence that general government transfers negatively affect the FPRLM. However, according to previous studies, welfare programs based on earned income tax credits provide can provide an incentive to employment . 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 FEMALE PARTICIPATION RATES IN THE LABOUR MARKET Quebec Ontario Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Data source: Statscan and Early Childhood Education and Care in Canada 2010

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Transcript of JSGS 815_Poverty Reduction

POVERTY REDUCTION IN SASKATCHEWAN THE FEMALE LABOUR MARKET PARTICIPATION RATE PRESENTED BY: ISABEL HUSID, MPA CANDIDATE SUPPORTED BY: DR. DIONNE POHLER

ISSUE Increasing female participation rate in the labour market (FPRLM) is one of many solutions for female poverty reduction. We aim to verify which and how variables affect the participation of women in the labour force to develop effective public policies.

FRAMEWORK Saskatchewan has a low female participation rate in the labour market, which has been decreasing:

Variable Date Range R R² Relationship found Female employment rate 1995-2014 0.98 0.96 Strong positive

Female unemployment rate 1995-2014 -0.67 0.46 Moderate negative

Education attainment- College diploma 2001-2011 0.79 0.63 Strong positive

Number of children under 6 years old 1995-2009 -0.84 0.71 Strong negative

Female median earnings 1995-2011 0.46 0.21 Weak positive

Welfare policy (government transfers) 1995-2011 -0.84 0.73 Strong negative

Child-care availability 1995-2010 0.425 0.18 Weak positive

METHODOLOGY & EMPIRICAL FINDINGS We analyzed the effects of different variables on the participation rate of women across Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. The following table highlights which variables impact the female participation rate in the labour market and in which direction:

PUBLIC POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS Increase female employment rates Increasing female employability encourages women to join the labour market and seek work. The relationship is extremely strong and positive.

Increase female access to college degrees Female educational attainment is fundamental to increase the competitiveness and the participation of women in the labour force. Earning a college degree increases the range of employment opportunities and the wages for women.

Increase assistance to mothers The variable “number of children under 6 years old” has a strong and negative relationship with the FPRLM. On the other hand, our findings also indicate that increased child-care availability does not have a strong relationship with the FPRLM. However, since studies conducted in Quebec show that the FPRLM increased significantly after the adoption of the family policy of subsidized child-care, we consider that adopting these types of policies to help mothers is likely needed .

Change welfare policy We found evidence that general government transfers negatively affect the FPRLM. However, according to previous studies, welfare programs based on earned income tax credits provide can provide an incentive to employment .

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FEMALE PARTICIPATION RATES IN THE LABOUR MARKET