Labor force participation in the Soviet and post-Soviet Baltic States

It is well documented that labor force participation rates fell precipitately as the economies of the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe made the transition from plan to market. However data allowing for direct comparison between the planned and transition periods of specific countries is rare. Here comparable data is used examining labor force participation in the Baltic States in 1990 (the late Soviet period), 1996, and 1999. While the data do indicate large drops in labor force participation, much of the decrease was concentrated among older individuals (those over 55) and women.