Karen A. Roopnarine and Dindial Ramrattan, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago
Abstract: An examination of national surveys such as the Survey of Living Conditions and the Household Budgetary Survey has revealed a gender disparity in regards to the level of poverty in Trinidad and Tobago. According to these statistics, there is a higher incidence of poverty among women when compared to men in Trinidad and Tobago. One possible reason for the higher level of poverty among women is the corresponding lower labour force participation rate of women when compared to men. This study sought to identify factors that influence the ability or desire of a woman to join the labour force. A probit model utilising variables such as education, experience, age and earnings was used to estimate the probability of participation. Additionally, the influence of qualitative factors specific to the Trinidad and Tobago economy, such as historical, cultural and religious, were considered. The results of this research can serve as a useful tool for more gender-sensitive policy formulation in Trinidad and Tobago, and even the wider Caribbean region.
Keywords: Participation rate; Gender; Trinidad and Tobago; Labour; Employment; Poverty.
