In Brazil, the upward trend in feminization was similar to the trend in Uruguay, but was even sharper and was in step with GDP growth up to 2008. A closer scrutiny of these two variables reveals opposite trends, however, especially in the closing years of the period under consideration. This may point to the presence of a countercyclical trend, which would have to be verified on the basis of a longer period of observation. The average estimated working day for women corresponds to part-time work, which fits in with the high rate of underemployment recorded for the female population.