Gender Inequality and Growth : The Case of Rich vs. Poor Countries
This paper uses cross-section data for 107 countries to explore the relationship between gender inequality and economic growth. The paper departs from the literature by using a broad measure of gender inequality that goes well beyond gender inequality in education, which has been the focus of most studies. Another novelty of the paper lies in exploring heterogeneity in the growth-gender inequality relationship. The results confirm that greater gender inequality is strongly associated with lower economic growth. However, this negative relationship between gender inequality and growth is entirely due to the relatively poor countries, with the relatively rich countries showing no such relationship. The findings have important implications for the design and targeting of gender-specific policies.
Summary: | This paper uses cross-section data for
107 countries to explore the relationship between gender
inequality and economic growth. The paper departs from the
literature by using a broad measure of gender inequality
that goes well beyond gender inequality in education, which
has been the focus of most studies. Another novelty of the
paper lies in exploring heterogeneity in the growth-gender
inequality relationship. The results confirm that greater
gender inequality is strongly associated with lower economic
growth. However, this negative relationship between gender
inequality and growth is entirely due to the relatively poor
countries, with the relatively rich countries showing no
such relationship. The findings have important implications
for the design and targeting of gender-specific policies. |
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