Effect of First Births on Women's Employment in a Low-Income Context: Research Note Using Panel Data From Nepal

Demography. 2026 Jun 1;63(3):741-757. doi: 10.1215/00703370-12675345.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Employment; Fertility timing; Motherhood penalty; Nepal; Panel model with fixed effects.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Employment* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Nepal
  • Poverty* / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Women, Working* / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult