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Does global warming worsen gender equality? Evidence from subnational data

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  • Kumar, Naveen
  • Maiti, Dibyendu

Abstract

This study, based on panel fixed effects models applied to subnational-level panel data from 1,500 regions across 130 countries, reveals that global warming has worsened gender equality. First, the impact of global warming on gender equality is predominantly negative, with considerable heterogeneity across income groups and climatic regions. Second, these adverse effects are driven by mechanisms such as relative productivity loss, primarily caused by health and education-related skill disruptions, which disproportionately impact females. Third, poorer areas, regions with extreme climates, lower income quintiles, and areas within the global south experience more severe impacts of rising temperatures on gender equality. Finally, gender norms, wealth, and state capacity moderate the effects, highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive climate policies in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Suggested Citation

  • Kumar, Naveen & Maiti, Dibyendu, 2025. "Does global warming worsen gender equality? Evidence from subnational data," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:80:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325005811
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.107318
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Naveen Kumar & Dibyendu Maiti, 2025. "Distributional impacts of global warming on wealth inequality: evidence from global panel of regions," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 69(6), pages 3889-3933, December.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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