Rural labour force in Ethiopia

Abstract

This study is based on males and females aged 10+ in the 1981/82 Rural Labour Force Survey. It analyzes the results of the usual and current status approach which were used in the survey. The usual status approach showed higher participation rates than the current status approach for all age groups. Unemployment and underemployment in rural Ethiopia are also examined and it is found that underemployment as measured by hours worked is more prominent than open unemployment. One reason for low open unemployment is suspected to be the conventional definition of unemployment which in most cases does not represent the rural situation and secondly open unemployment appears to be truly rare in rural Ethiopia. The levels and patterns of male and female labour force participation are discussed. Males at all ages have higher participation rates than females. The gross years of active life of males is high compared to that of females. Male participation is low in the entry ages, rises to its maximum in the prime ages and again decrease in the retirement ages. Female labour force participation exhibits the central peak pattern. The relationship between some demographic and social variables and male and female participation are discussed. Marital status affects male labour force participation, with married men having higher rates while migration does not seem to affect male participation rates. Demographic variables such as migration, marital status, and relationship with head of household have significant effect on female participation rates.