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Gender inequality and economic growth: evidence from industry-level data

Author

Listed:
  • Ata Can Bertay

    (Sabanci University)

  • Ljubica Dordevic

    (IMF)

  • Can Sever

    (IMF)

Abstract

This paper examines whether higher gender equality facilitates economic growth by enabling better utilization of female labor. By allocating female labor to its more productive use, we hypothesize that reducing gender inequality should disproportionately benefit industries with relatively higher female share in their employment. In a sample of manufacturing industries from 65 EMDEs over the period of 1990–2018, we find a positive growth differential of about 26 percentage points over a decade between industries with a high and low female share in employment when they are located in a low gender inequality country compared to a country with high gender inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Ata Can Bertay & Ljubica Dordevic & Can Sever, 2025. "Gender inequality and economic growth: evidence from industry-level data," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(5), pages 2291-2326, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:68:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1007_s00181-024-02698-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-024-02698-6
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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