EXCERPTS from the Executive summary

The labour market participation of women in the European Union has increased in recent decades. In 2014, women comprised almost 46% of people active in the EU labour market. Nevertheless, in almost all Member States, women’s participation rates are still systematically lower than those of men.

This report explores the main characteristics and the evolution of gender gaps in labour market participation, employment and economic status. It looks at the main determinants of female labour market participation, investigating the interplay with individual and household characteristics. It examines the economic loss to the EU of the gender gap in employment and undertakes a forecasting exercise to examine the medium- and long- term prospects for increasing female participation rates. Finally, it provides an overview and assessment of the effectiveness of policy measures promoting the labour market participation of women in six Member States (Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom), drawing attention to successful and innovative cases.