Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/316748 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17793
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
The motherhood penalty is well-documented, but what happens at the other end of the reproductive spectrum? Menopause—a transition often marked by debilitating physical and psychological symptoms—also entails substantial costs. Using population-wide Norwegian and Swedish data and quasi-experimental methods, we show that a menopause diagnosis leads to lasting drops in earnings and employment, alongside greater reliance on social transfers. The impact is especially severe for women with lower socioeconomic status. Increasing access to menopause-related health care can help offset these losses. Our findings reveal the hidden economic toll of menopause and the potential gains from better support policies.
Subjects: 
menopause
health care
disability income
fertility
JEL: 
J01
J13
I10
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.