Abstract

The goal of this paper is to take stock of where we stand in the reconstruction of the long-run dynamics of gender inequality in Italy, focusing on the post-unification period (from 1861 to the present, namely the last 160 years). This is accomplished in two ways: first, by proposing a list of indicators that can be thought of as the essential building blocks for such a reconstruction, and that can be assembled based on historical data. The emphasis is placed on quantification and comparability (both over time and across countries, or within areas of the country). Second, the paper assesses the available evidence within the economic history literature, and argues that the effort of building a quantitative economic history of Italian women is just at the beginning.