Dynamics of Female Employment and Youth Unemployment in Italy

ABSTRACT: The authors, in this article, consider the possibility of how the peak in the birth rate during the 60s could have affected the present unemployment situation. First of all the hypothesis put forward by various sources that the baby boom is the principle cause of unemployment is examined, together with how plausible this explanation is. Then some data relevant to birth rates and the subsequent employment levels in various countries is presented, and finally, a more detailed analysis of the Italian situation is given, both with regard to the baby boom and the most recent employment statistics for the different Italian areas. The authors also take a close look at the female labour market and its development over the past years, and how these figures would appear to confute the baby boom as being the sole cause responsible for present day unemployment levels.