This mainly reflects the severity and length of the crisis in these countries. Among the family types considered in Panel B, individuals in a couple relationship are the least likely to live in a no earner-household not in receipt of unemployment benefits. This reflects the role of dual-earner couples in stabilising household income when unemployment rises during a recession. Indeed, the sustained growth of women’s labour-force participation over recent decades and its rising resilience during economic downturns has reinforced many families’ abilities to cushion earnings losses (OECD, 20011b).