This is the first comprehensive and up-to-date study of the contribution of women and men to changing European economic activity patterns covering all fifteen member states. Based on the work of the European Commission's network of experts on women's employment, it draws on both national and European data sources. The book links trends in the structures of employment with new comparative data on the role of systems of welfare provision in order to explore economic activity patterns by gender. Participation patterns of women still vary widely within Europe, so much attention is paid to the institutions - both in the labour market and welfare - which help to explain these variations.

Colette Fagan, Damian Grimshaw, Jill Rubery, Mark Smith

1. Introduction 2. The female contribution to the European employment rate 3. Women's employment rates and structural and regional change 4. Unemployment, gender and labour market organisation 5. State policies and women's employment and unemployment rates 6. Household organisation, state policy and women's employment rates 7. The new member state 8. Conclusions; Notes; References; Appendices