Research
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Papercrossref-demography · 6/15/2026
AI-generated summary
This study uses longitudinal panel data from Nepal to examine, for the first time in a low- and middle-income country context, how women's employment changes following the birth of a first child. It finds a large short-term employment penalty (around 40%) after childbirth, which declines to a more moderate long-term penalty (8-10%), with women in high-quality salaried jobs facing the greatest losses. The employment penalty has also grown over time as more women have moved into salaried employment.
Abstract
Highlights This is the first longitudinal study in an LMIC setting of employment changes following childbirth. A large (40%), short-term decrease in maternal employment (i.e., penalty) was observed after childbirth. A moderate (8‒10%), long-term maternal employment penalty was observed after childbirth. Women in high-quality salaried jobs experienced the greatest employment penalties. The employment penalty has grown over time as the share of women in salaried jobs has increased.