Research Article

The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa

Number: Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler October 20, 2026
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The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of Female Labor Income Share (FLIS) in North Africa (2000–2024) and its relationship with broader income inequality. By analyzing Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia using World Inequality Database data, the research documents substantial cross-country variation: Tunisia maintains the highest FLIS (38.06%), while Algeria (13.65%) and Egypt (17.08%) exhibit the lowest levels. Egypt's FLIS shows volatility around political upheaval, and COVID-19 produced divergent regressive impacts across North African economies. A novel mapping reveals a negative correlation between FLIS and the bottom 50% income share across the five countries. This finding indicates that achieving economic justice in the region requires dismantling institutional biases and restructuring income distribution systems to ensure that women from all socioeconomic backgrounds benefit from economic integration.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

It is declared that scientific and ethical principles have been followed while carrying out and writing this study and that all the sources used have been properly cited.

References

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  4. Alfani, F., Clementi, F., Fabiani, M., Molini, V., & Valentini, E. (2024). Does gender equality in labor participation bring equality? Evidence from developing and developed countries. Empirical Economics, 67(1), 289–311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00181-023-02545-0.
  5. Baliamoune, M. (2024). Trade and the persistence of the MENA “gender equality paradox” (Policy Brief No. PB-06/24). Policy Center for the New South. https://www.policycenter.ma/sites/default/files/2024-02/PB_06-24_Mina%20Baliamoune2.pdf.
  6. Bastian, B. L., Metcalfe, B. D., & Zali, M. R. (2019). Gender inequality: Entrepreneurship development in the MENA region. Sustainability, 11(22), 6472. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226472.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Labor Sociology, Sociology of Inequalities

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 20, 2026

Submission Date

August 8, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 21, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler

APA
Matallah, A. (2026). The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa. İmgelem, Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler, 134-157. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.2014031
AMA
1.Matallah A. The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa. İMGELEM. 2026;(Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler):134-157. doi:10.53791/imgelem.2014031
Chicago
Matallah, Amal. 2026. “The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa”. İmgelem, no. Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler: 134-57. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.2014031.
EndNote
Matallah A (October 1, 2026) The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa. İmgelem Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler 134–157.
IEEE
[1]A. Matallah, “The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa”, İMGELEM, no. Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler, pp. 134–157, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.53791/imgelem.2014031.
ISNAD
Matallah, Amal. “The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa”. İmgelem. Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler (October 1, 2026): 134-157. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.2014031.
JAMA
1.Matallah A. The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa. İMGELEM. 2026;:134–157.
MLA
Matallah, Amal. “The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa”. İmgelem, no. Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler, Oct. 2026, pp. 134-57, doi:10.53791/imgelem.2014031.
Vancouver
1.Amal Matallah. The Unfinished Revolution: Female Labor Income and the Enduring Contours of Gender Inequality in North Africa. İMGELEM. 2026 Oct. 1;(Küresel Modern Toplumsal Çelişkiler):134-57. doi:10.53791/imgelem.2014031