Determinants of labor force participation of Arab women in the Negev

In 2007, a meager 11.4% of Arab Bedouin females in the southern district of Israel, the Negev, participated in the labor force. The unusually low rate of labor force participation among Arab women in the Negev is typical for traditional societies that impose restrictions on women’s education and work. Although the Negev witnessed a surge in educational attainment among Bedouin females, their participation in the labor force is still very low.

This study aims to identify the major determinants of labor force participation of Bedouin women. Several variables have been shown to play s significant role in the decision of whether or not to be part of the labor force. Among these variables we find individual characteristics as well as social and institutional factors that include age, personal status, educational attainment of both the female and her parents and spouse, number of siblings of married and single parent females, access to infrastructure and availability of work in their close area, individual earnings potential, earnings of husband and/or parents, health status of the women and their close family, and the size of the community (a proxy for urban/rural community).

To investigate which factors affect the willingness to participate in the labor force we utilize a probit model in which the above mentioned explanatory variables determine the probability of joining the labor force. The dependent variable in this case is a binary variable that takes the value of one if the individual is in the labor force and zero otherwise. We look at both the sign and marginal effects of the various variables to quantify their impact on the probability of joining the labor market.

Our data are obtained from a unique socioeconomic survey that was administered in 2004 and 2007 by the Galilee Society for Arabs in Israel and, unlike the official surveys, covered both recognized and unrecognized Bedouin villages and towns. The survey was conducted on both household and individual levels thus providing a very rich array of demographic, social, and economic dimensions.

Our preliminary results show a robust strong role for educational attainment and experience. Additionally, access to basic infrastructure is vital, especially for women in the unrecognized communities. Our results accentuate the need for massive investments in education and in improving the existing inadequate infrastructures.