Determinants of non-participation in labour force among women of reproductive age in Nigeria

Background: Studies have examined the individual-level and household predictors of women’s labour force participation in Nigeria, this study went further to examine the community-level determinants of non-participation in labour force among women of reproductive age in Nigeria.Data Source and Methods: This study analysed the 2016-2017 Nigeria Multiple indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data of women (aged 15-49; n= 32,742). Descriptive and multivariable analyses (using multilevel binary logistic regression) were performed.Results: Results showed that 73% of the women didn’t participate in the labour force. Community poverty (medium: OR = 0.95 and high: OR = 1.38), number of children living with a woman (medium: OR = 1.05 and high: OR = 1.19), proportion of contraceptive non-users (high: OR = 2.49 and medium: OR = 1.59) and region (north: OR = 5.42) were significant (P<0.05) determinants.Conclusion: Hence, women (of reproductive age) in the north, in communities with high: poverty, family size and contraceptive non-use should be economically empowered.