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Bridging the gender gap: Women’s education and political representation

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  • Bellani, Luna
  • Hidalgo-Hidalgo, Marisa

Abstract

Gender disparity is present in many aspects of life, especially in politics. This paper provides new evidence on the impact of women’s education on political representation focusing on several European countries. We combine multi-country data from the Gender Statistics Database of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and from the European Social Survey (ESS). Using an IV strategy, we find that increased female education significantly increases the percentage of women elected to regional parliaments. We then explore possible channels at the individual level and find that education increases women’s interest in politics and induces more egalitarian views about gender roles in society among women, although it fails to do so among men.

Suggested Citation

  • Bellani, Luna & Hidalgo-Hidalgo, Marisa, 2025. "Bridging the gender gap: Women’s education and political representation," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:104:y:2025:i:c:s0272775724000992
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2024.102605
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; Female political participation; Compulsory schooling reforms; ESS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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