THE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN OF ARABIC ANCESTRY IN THE US

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to contribute to continuing research on the labor force participation of women of Arabic backgrounds living in the US. The study explored the difference in labor force participation between immigrants and native-born women who claim descent from different Arab countries, given their human capital, assimilation, and demographic characteristics. The study analyzed data from the American Community Survey (2012-2016) collected by the US Bureau of Census. The majority of the women in this study were immigrants. Approximately 31% of the women were born in the US. From 2012 to 2016, the labor force participation rate of these women was higher in the US than in other Arab countries; however, it was lower than other groups in the US. Women of Arabic descent born in the US had a higher labor force participation rate than their immigrant counterparts. This difference was largely due to the ability to speak English more fluently, controlling for demographic variables that impact labor force participation. Duration of stay in the US did not have any significant impact on the odds of labor force participation.