Analysis of Economic Activity Participation and Determining Factors Among Married Women by Income Level After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study examines the economic activities of married women aged 20 and above after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on variations across income levels. Using data from the 2022 Social Survey by Statistics Korea, which includes a nationally representative sample of over 38,000 individuals from 19,000 households, this study investigates the determinants of married women's participation in economic activities and their impact on life satisfaction. Key variables, including employment status, income level, and life satisfaction, are measured using validated survey instruments. Hierarchical and multiple regression analyses are employed to assess how income levels moderate these effects, while correlation analysis is conducted to address multicollinearity concerns and ensure the robustness of the results. Findings indicate that income level has a significant but varying influence on the relationship between economic participation and life satisfaction. Lower-income women exhibit greater sensitivity to employment status in terms of life satisfaction, whereas higher-income women's satisfaction is more influenced by social status and cultural factors. Additionally, education and household conditions emerged as critical determinants of economic engagement across different income groups. These results underscore the need for income-specific policy interventions to support married women's workforce participation post-pandemic. However, as this study relies on cross-sectional survey data, causality cannot be definitively established. Policymakers should consider differentiated strategies that address financial constraints, work-family balance, and cultural expectations to foster greater economic inclusion.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Korean women; economic activity participation; income level; married women.

Figure 1

Research model.