Economics & Development

This paper addresses two gaps in the female labor force participation literature: the integrated analysis of individual, household, community, and national determinants, and the use of machine learning techniques to capture nonlinear dynamics. Using decision trees, the analysis identifies key drivers, thresholds, and sequences shaping women’s labor participation in the Arab Republic of Egypt—which remains below regional and global averages. Drawing on 2021–22 Arab Barometer data, the analysis finds that while gender norms matter, access to childcare is the most decisive factor. The paper concludes by outlining priorities for future research on the complex dynamics of female labor decision-making within and beyond Egypt.

Emission trading schemes are among the primary pricing instruments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, more than 35 emission trading schemes are in operation around the world at multinational, national, and subnational levels. How effective these systems are in reducing emissions is a key empirical question. This study examines the effectiveness of three large-scale emission trading schemes implemented by the European Union, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The study employs a generalized synthetic control method on data from 2005–20. The findings show that the EU emission trading scheme led to a cumulative reduction of 21.3 percent in carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity sector and 15.6 lower total carbon dioxide emissions, relative to a scenario with no emission trading scheme. In New Zealand, the emission trading scheme had no statistically significant effect on total national carbon dioxide emissions—largely because nearly half of New Zealand’s emissions come from agriculture, a sector not covered by the country’s emission trading scheme. The effectiveness of Korea’s emission trading scheme varied substantially across phases. Although initially it did not halt the rise in emissions, it became a progressively strong driver of decarbonization over time.

This presentation examines Kenya’s efforts to strengthen and professionalize its childcare workforce in response to growing demand for childcare services driven by urbanization and increased female labor force participation. It highlights the Care and Commerce (C&C) model, which promotes quality childcare through workforce training, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships. The report emphasizes the importance of standardized training, certification, strategic partnerships, and supportive policies to improve childcare quality, affordability, and accessibility while creating sustainable professional pathways for caregivers.

Cette présentation examine les options en matière de politiques et de financement pour élargir l’accès aux services de garde d’enfants, en soulignant que les pays ont besoin d’une combinaison d’approches sur mesure en fonction des besoins et des capacités locaux. Il présente cinq stratégies politiques clés : fourniture directe par l’État, soutien financier aux familles, incitations pour les prestataires non publics, sous-traitance des services à des organisations non étatiques et services de garde d’enfants soutenus par l’employeur. La présentation souligne le rôle important des financements publics, des systèmes d’assurance qualité et des partenariats avec des acteurs non étatiques pour garantir des services de garde d’enfants équitables, abordables et de haute qualité. Il conclut que l’expansion durable des services de garde d’enfants nécessite une combinaison de mécanismes de financement, une réglementation stricte et des efforts coordonnés pour atteindre les familles vulnérables et soutenir un développement social et économique plus large.