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The impact of economic policy and structural change on gender employment inequality in Latin America, 1990–2010

Author

Listed:
  • Elissa Braunstein

    (Department of Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA)

  • Stephanie Seguino

    (Department of Economics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA)

Abstract

Latin America experienced a decline in household income inequality in the 2000s, in sharp contrast to growing inequality in other regions of the world. This has been attributed to macroeconomic policy, social spending, and increased returns to education. This paper explores this issue from a gender perspective by econometrically evaluating how changes in economic structure and policy have impacted gendered employment and unemployment rates, as well as gender inequality in these variables, using country-level panel data for a set of 18 Latin American countries between 1990 and 2010. Three variables stand out as having consistent gender-equalizing effects in the labor market: social spending, minimum wages, and public investment. Less important or consistent were the effects of external factors (such as terms of trade), economic structure, and GDP growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Elissa Braunstein & Stephanie Seguino, 2018. "The impact of economic policy and structural change on gender employment inequality in Latin America, 1990–2010," Review of Keynesian Economics, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 6(3), pages 307–332-3, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:rokejn:v:6:y:2018:i:3:p307-332
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Louis-Philippe Rochon & Guillaume Vallet, 2022. "The institutions of the people, by the people and for the people? Addressing central banks' power and social responsibility in a democracy," PSL Quarterly Review, Economia civile, vol. 75(301), pages 83-102.
    2. Aashima Sinha, 2023. "The Road to Gender-Equitable Growth: A State-level Analysis of Social Reproduction in the U.S," Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, University of Utah 2023_03, University of Utah, Department of Economics.
    3. Batuo E. Michael & George Kararach & Issam Malki, 2021. "Working Paper 353 - Inequality and the role of macroeconomic and institutional forces in Africa," Working Paper Series 2479, African Development Bank.
    4. Tabitha Knight, 2022. "Women’s Employment and Public Spending: A Cross-Country Study," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 28(1), pages 1-17, May.
    5. Guillaume Vallet, 2021. "Great Power, Great Responsibility: Addressing the Underestimated Issue of Central Bank’s Social Responsibility," Journal of Central Banking Theory and Practice, Central bank of Montenegro, vol. 10(3), pages 23-39.
    6. Malik Shahzad Shabbir, Aniqa Zeb, 2019. "Determinants of Economic Stability through Female Unemployment: Evidence from Pakistan," Journal of Finance and Economics Research, Geist Science, Iqra University, Faculty of Business Administration, vol. 4(1), pages 19-30, March.
    7. Owen Eli Ceballos Mina & Abelardo de Anda Casas, 2021. "Estructura productiva laboral y pobreza en México: un análisis municipal en tres regiones," Revista Desarrollo y Sociedad, Universidad de los Andes,Facultad de Economía, CEDE, vol. 88(4), pages 129-168, July.
    8. Arora, Diksha & Braunstein, Elissa & Seguino, Stephanie, 2023. "A macro analysis of gender segregation and job quality in Latin America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    9. Vishnu Padayachee, 2019. "Can progressive macroeconomic policy address growth and employment while reducing inequality in South Africa?," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 30(1), pages 3-21, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Latin America; gender; labor markets; minimum wage; government spending;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • E02 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Institutions and the Macroeconomy
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • J48 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Particular Labor Markets; Public Policy
    • O54 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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