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The Effect of Gender Equality on International Soccer Performance

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  • Bredtmann, Julia
  • Crede, Carsten J.
  • Otten, Sebastian

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a new estimation strategy that uses the variation in success between the male and the female national soccer team within a country to identify the causal impact of gender equality on women's soccer performance. In particular, we analyze whether within-country variations in labor force participation rates and life expectancies between the genders, which serve as measures for the country's gender equality, are able to explain differences in the international success of male and female national soccer teams. Our results reveal that differences in male and female labor force participation rates and life expectancies are able to explain the international soccer performance of female teams, but not that of male teams, suggesting that gender equality is an important driver of female sport success.

Suggested Citation

  • Bredtmann, Julia & Crede, Carsten J. & Otten, Sebastian, 2014. "The Effect of Gender Equality on International Soccer Performance," Ruhr Economic Papers 501, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:501
    DOI: 10.4419/86788575
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international sport success; soccer; gender equality; fixed-effects estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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