Job Search Propensity of Unemployed Women in an Era of Transition: A Case Study of Egypt

Type Journal Article - International Journal of Trade, Economics & Finance
Title Job Search Propensity of Unemployed Women in an Era of Transition: A Case Study of Egypt
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 6
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
URL http://www.ijtef.org/papers/157-A00012.pdf
Abstract
The present study evaluates changes in unemployed women's job search propensity (1998-2006), to examine the effect of transition towards a market- oriented economy away from the public sector employment guarantee, on their propensity to search for jobs. The study examines determinants of job search propensity of unemployed women in Egypt, focusing on young unemployed women. The results point out that women have less job search propensity than men. The gender gap is wider excluding registration with public employment offices from job search methods used. Females are still mainly dependent on the government to find a job. Analyzing determinants of women's job search propensity reveals significant effect of personal, household characteristics and labor market conditions. There is an inverse U-shaped relation between age and female's job search propensity. Education and previous work experience positively affect women' job search. Women living in households with high dependency ratio and those living in areas with high unemployment rates have higher job search propensity. Young women who constitute the vast majority of unemployed women in Egypt are found to be the least active in job search. Examining determinants of young women's job search propensity, the results show that excluding registering with public employment offices from search methods used, education does not have a significant effect on young women's job search propensity, which is an important alarming sign. Household characteristics have similar effects on both all unemployed and young unemployed women, except for marital status. Improving job quality in the private sector and providing institutional support to women within their job search is needed to increase women's job search propensity.

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