The Impact of Social Norms on the Gender Gap in Employment in Kyrgyz Republic

Abstract

The Kyrgyz Republic faces a significant gender gap in its labor market, with 71.8% of men and only 43.1% of women employed as of 2022, resulting in a 28.7% disparity between male and female employment. Equal access to employment is fundamental for individual well-being, and achieving gender equality in the labor market is crucial for the country’s long-term economic growth and sustainable development. While individual and macroeconomic factors play a role, many studies highlight the influence of social norms—unwritten rules or shared beliefs that govern social behavior—on labor market outcomes, including whether women are expected to participate in productive or reproductive activities. According to UN research, 98% of Kyrgyz citizens hold at least one gender bias related to politics, education, the economy, or physical integrity. This study examines the impact of social norms on the gender employment gap in Kyrgyzstan using a quantitative research method. It addresses the gap in quantitative research on this topic in Kyrgyzstan and contributes to the broader literature on social norms and labor market outcomes. The study draws on panel data from the Life in Kyrgyzstan surveys for the years 2016 and 2019. The analysis employs two sets of statistical methods: Panel Logit, Panel Probit, and Panel Tobit for the first estimation, and the Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition to explore differences in coefficients and endowments between male and female employment outcomes. Additionally, a brief survey of 10 people was conducted as a complementary to empirical analysis. Nine attitudinal questions regarding gender roles serve as proxies for social norms. The results reveal a significant negative impact of social norms on female employment, as well as a surprising negative effect on male employment, which contradicts existing literature. This finding opens avenues for further research into the role of social norms in shaping both male and female labor market participation.