Unwilling or unable? Spatial and socio-economic restrictions on females' labour market access

The effects of regional structures on both females' willingness to work and the probability of being employed for those willing to work are analysed. Special permission was granted to link regional data to individual respondents in the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP). Results of a bivariate probit model correcting for sample selection show that high regional unemployment discourages women from entering the labour market. Those willing to work find it easier to do so if they live in regions with low regional female unemployment rates, at a short distance from the next agglomeration, and - for mothers - with a high density of childcare provision.