Exploring the impact of the birth of the first child on female labor force participation in the case of Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of childbirth, particularly the birth of the first child, on female labor force participation (FLFP) in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is characterized by a lower FLFP rate for women than men, despite women having higher education levels. The groundbreaking research of Claudia Goldin highlights the significance of the birth of the first child on female labor force participation. This study aims to fill a geographical and methodological gap by focusing on Kyrgyzstan and determining whether the birth of the first child negatively affects female labor force participation in Kyrgyzstan. The analysis is based on the "Life in Kyrgyzstan" longitudinal survey, a nationally representative dataset on working-age women across various regions. The timeframe concentrates on waves from 2011 to 2013 due to the availability of relevant data on women's fertility history. The research employs Logit and Probit models, which include variables such as age, education, family income, location (urban/rural), marital status, ethnicity, and time spent on housework, to estimate the effect of the first childbirth on female labor force participation. Additionally, a separate model will be used to examine the impact on working hours using Tobit and Random Effects models. This study will also include a section to understand the gender dynamics in the labor market. The study hypothesizes that the birth of the first child negatively affects female labor force participation. This research holds potential information significant to the understanding of gender dynamics in the Kyrgyz labor market, including a crucial factor influencing employment for women in Central Asia. This potentially valuable insight could help aid policymakers aiming to promote female labor force participation and assist in gender equality. Thus by examining the particular influence of the first childbirth on FLFP, this study offers a perspective unique to the critical aspect of women's contribution to labor in Kyrgyzstan.