Estimating the relationship between health status and labour force participation in Namibia
Loading...
Date
2024
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The relationship between health and labour force participation is of policy interest due
to the important role that health plays in economic development. Evidence suggests
that there is a positive relationship between good health status and labour force
participation. Using 2015/2016 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey
(NHIES), a nationally representative household and individual dataset, this thesis
examines the relationship between health status and labour force participation in
Namibia, a country where such evidence is scarce. The study employed the probit
model to estimate the effect of health on the probability of participating in the labour
market. The analysis was further disaggregated to assess the relationship between
health status on labour force participation by gender. The results suggest that an
increase in the prevalence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure,
joint inflammation, cancer, cardiac disease, epilepsy, respiratory disease, stomach
ulcer, chronic kidney disease, and anaemia significantly reduces the probability of
labour force participation in Namibia. In addition, disabilities such as difficulty with
cleaning, difficulty with walking, difficulty with remembering, and difficulty with
hearing significantly reduce the probability of participating in the labour market. The
results also show that the effect of chronic illness and disabilities on the probability
of labour force participation varies by gender, with the magnitude of the effect
generally higher among men. Thus, strengthening current public health strategies or
policies that promote good health practices and health outcomes (tobacco and alcohol
control policies), thereby enhancing the probability of labour force participation in
Namibia. In addition, the promotion of exercising through the establishment of
community parks will foster health and labour force participation
Description
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in economics
Keywords
Labour force participation, Health status, Chronic illnesses, Disabilities