Non-traditional dual earners in Norway: when does she work at least as much as he?

Abstract

An equal division of paid and unpaid work in couples is a central political ambition in many countries. Utilizing a survey from 2007, this article finds that many Norwegian women perform approximately as much paid work as their partner. Still, few work more than their partners and about half work less than them. Domestic commitments as well as the partners’ labour market resources affect women’s allocation of paid work, but the highly gender-segregated labour market also plays an important role. When the woman works most, her spouse often has health problems, is unemployed or retired. In dual-earner couples women with longer hours than their partner are often well educated, self-employed, managers, have no young children or a partner in the public sector. Women with young children or health restrictions often work less than their partner, as do those with a partner who is self-employed, holds a managerial position or a private-sector job.