Italians Face Virus-Induced Childcare Crisis With a Labor-Market Twist

(Bloomberg) -- Italy’s poor female participation rate in the workforce -- the lowest of any European Union country -- remains an impediment both to economic growth and gender equality. The coronavirus epidemic won’t help to change that, as the government’s decision to close all schools until March 15 threatens a childcare crisis for some parents of the 3.3 million pre-school and primary-school pupils stuck at home during the day. But at least for now, with fewer than 40% of working-age women participating in Italy’s labor market, the problem of who can mind the kids won’t be quite as acute as it would otherwise be.

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