Employment Status, Income Equality, and Poverty in Egypt

Abstract

The present study examines trends in employment status in Egypt in an important era of democratic transition. It examines determinants of different labor force participation by gender. The empirical analysis is based on the World Values Survey of the fifth wave (2005-2008). A comparative descriptive approach is used to analyze the difference between males' and females' employment status. The study uses logistic regression analysis to examine the determinants of different labor force participation, and to examine the impact of different labor force practices and income equality on poverty. Empirical findings support a gender gap with respect to accessibility to full time paid work, only young females, regardless their computer skills, education attainment, marital status are more likely to be engaged in full time work, while those in middle age are more properly engaged in unpaid employment. The study also finds a gender gap in job search intensity. We also conclude that there is no linkage between employment status and poverty, however we find a positive and significant impact of females 'perception regarding the importance of having more equal distribution of income and their perception regarding the importance of poverty problem. These results show that women in Egypt are less engaged in decent jobs because they are less educated, having lower skills, more affected by income inequality and poverty. Social security should be reformed to cover all women, reforms are also needed for pensions, and unemployment insurance, to cover all retired, old age, care –giving, and unemployed individuals.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n9p27