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.

To contact the reporter on this story: Zoe Schneeweiss in London at zschneeweiss@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Fergal O'Brien at fobrien@bloomberg.net, Craig Stirling, Alessandro Speciale

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