Open AccessEconomic Development and Female Labor Force Participation in Bangladesh: A Test of the U-Shaped Hypothesis
Author(s) -
Soma Dhar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of south asian studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2308-7846
pISSN - 2307-4000
DOI - 10.33687/jsas.008.03.3826
Subject(s) - economics , ordinary least squares , urbanization , total fertility rate , per capita , fertility , unemployment rate , regression analysis , demographic economics , per capita income , labour economics , unemployment , econometrics , statistics , economic growth , population , demography , research methodology , mathematics , sociology , family planning
The study aims to explain the relationship between economic development measured by GDP per capita on PPP and female labor force participation rate (FLFPR) in Bangladesh. Using Time series data from (1991-2019), extracted from secondary data sources; the study develops three models to test the U-shape hypothesis. The study uses control variables such as Female Unemployment rate, Fertility rate, and Urbanization. The Ordinary Least Square Regression Analysis is used to run the regression by using Econometric Software STATA (version12.0). The regression result indicates that the Female unemployment rate has a positive impact on FLFPR. Fertility rate and Urbanization have a negative effect. There is a significant impact of the quadratic GDP per capita PPP on FLFPR. The overall results of this paper suggest that a U-shape does not exist in Bangladesh. The research investigates an upward pattern in the female labor force participation rate by measuring the relationship between economic growth and female labor force participation rate in Bangladesh.