Abstract
Despite extensive research, both theoretical and empirical, there is no universal model of labour supply. Instead, a mix of models or factors is usually used to explain the developments or examine some particular features of labour participation. This chapter briefly discusses the labour–leisure model, the household supply model, the life cycle allocation of time model and the dynamic labour supply model as a base for most theoretical and empirical research of labour supply. The most important factors of labour participation include the business cycle, social security, education, motherhood and social habits. The decision whether to work or not is a complex one and seems to be dependent on socio-economic characteristics, family status and the age of the population concerned. For women yet another factor plays an important role, namely the decision to combine a career with motherhood. These theoretical consideration pave the way to defining future scenarios of labour force participation.
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Notes
- 1.
It is costly both directly and indirectly, e.g. by preventing them from participating in market work at that time. Even if it does not make some of them give up market work completely at the time of schooling, statistically it forces them to reduce the numbers of hours they would otherwise have worked, which statistically decreases labour supply in the age groups concerned.
- 2.
The pattern of participation is referred to as a distribution of participation rates by age groups. It is often used in reference to a group with specific characteristics, such as sex, education, and dwelling place.
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Saczuk, K. (2013). Models and Factors of Labour Force Participation—Theoretical and Empirical Considerations. In: Kupiszewski, M. (eds) International Migration and the Future of Populations and Labour in Europe. The Springer Series on Demographic Methods and Population Analysis, vol 32. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8948-9_8
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