Article

Gender differences in commuting patterns and the enlargement of local labor markets in Sweden: Regional differences and changes over time

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Abstract

In the context of regional planning and policy in Sweden, regional enlargement, or geographically-extended labor markets and associated longer commuting distances, is an explicit goal in order to stimulate economic growth. However, since women commute shorter distances than men the process of regional enlargement is expected to be different for women and men. Since there has been no research conducted on changes over time with regard to similarities and differences of gender and work-related mobility in Sweden (e.g., travel distances, travel times, speed, use of the car), the present paper analyzes the Swedish context. The urban regions of Malmö and Göteborg are analyzed since they demonstrate both large (Göteborg) and no (Malmö) gender differences in commuting distance. Swedish national travel survey data (Riks RVU 94/95 and RES 05/06) covering the periods 1994/95 and 2005/06 are used for the empirical analysis. The results show that women and men have different commuting distances but very similar commuting times during each of the periods analyzed. Furthermore, a major share of the increase in average commuting distance is matched by an increase in commuting time, for both women and men. Women still commute by slower means than men, with no substantial changes occurring during the study period. Results on a regional level regarding commuting distance show a distinct pattern of convergence in the Malmö region, as well as a pattern of divergence in the Göteborg region. The groups changing their commuting distance and creating this pattern are men in the Göteborg region and women in the Malmö region—implying that gender-related changes are caused by factors that are specific for each area. Furthermore, the results imply that it is more the increase in commuting distance by car than the increase in trip frequency by car that has contributed to increased commuting distances. Results also show that access to the car does not seem to be a primary explanation for the difference in commuting distance between women and men in the two regions.

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