The Menopause Penalty

Series

Research on Monday
Speaker(s)

Rita Ginja (University of Bergen, Norway)
Field

Empirical Microeconomics

Location

Erasmus University Rotterdam, Campus Woudestein, Polak 3-18
Rotterdam
Date and time

October 30, 2023
11:30 - 12:30

Abstract

Menopause is a major biological shock to women, marking the end of their reproductive years. Despite its relevance, scant research has studied how it impacts social dynamics, labour market outcomes, or health care demand. Using high-quality linked national register administrative data from Norway and a stacked difference-in-differences design, we estimate the effect of menopause diagnosis on marriage stability, earnings, reliance on social safety net programs, and demand for medical care. We find that menopause affects a broad swath of women's lives, ranging from increased visits to doctors to depressed earnings. Policies aimed at supporting women that suffer more serious symptoms around the menopausal transition may have significant benefits.