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Gender differences in numeracy in Indonesia: evidence from a longitudinal dataset

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  • Daniel Suryadarma

Abstract

This paper uses a rich longitudinal dataset to measure the evolution of the gender differences in numeracy among school-age children in Indonesia. Girls outperformed boys by 0.08 standard deviations when the sample was around 11 years old. Seven years later, the gap has widened to 0.19 standard deviations, equivalent to around 18 months of schooling. I find no evidence that households invest more resources in girls relative to boys. However, there is suggestive evidence that schools play a role in fostering the gender gap in numeracy. Given the importance of numeracy in later life, there may be some scope for public policies to address the widening numeracy gap between genders.

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  • Daniel Suryadarma, 2015. "Gender differences in numeracy in Indonesia: evidence from a longitudinal dataset," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 180-198, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:edecon:v:23:y:2015:i:2:p:180-198
    DOI: 10.1080/09645292.2013.819415
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    Cited by:

    1. Buhl-Wiggers, Julie & Jones, Sam & Thornton, Rebecca, 2021. "Boys lagging behind: Unpacking gender differences in academic achievement across East Africa," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    2. Hatton, Timothy J. & Sparrow, Robert & Suryadarma, Daniel & van der Eng, Pierre, 2018. "Fertility and the health of children in Indonesia," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 67-78.
    3. Molly Paterson & Jaai Parasnis & Michelle Rendall, 2022. "Gender, Income, and Numeracy Test Scores," Monash Economics Working Papers 2022-02, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    4. Niken Kusumawardhani & Daniel Suryadarma & Luca Tiberti & Veto Tyas Indrio, "undated". "What Skills Lead to Entrepreneurial Success? Evidence from Non-Farm-Household Enterprises in Indonesia," Working Papers 1971, Publications Department.
    5. Prashant Bharadwaj & Giacomo De Giorgi & David Hansen & Christopher Neilson, 2015. "The gender gap in mathematics: evidence from a middle-income country," Staff Reports 721, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    6. Igarashi, Takiko & Suryadarma, Daniel, 2023. "Foundational mathematics and reading skills of Filipino students over a generation," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    7. Ahsan,Md Nazmul & Banerjee,Rakesh & Maharaj,Riddhi, 2020. "Early-Life Access to a Basic Health Care Program and Adult Outcomes in Indonesia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9243, The World Bank.
    8. Rebekka Rühle, 2022. "Mind the gap – an analysis of gender differences in mathematics and science achievement in South Africa," Working Papers 04/2022, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics.
    9. Paterson, Molly, 2021. "Gender and Disadvantage in the Evolution of Test Score Gaps," Warwick-Monash Economics Student Papers 06, Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers.
    10. Asadullah, M. Niaz & Maliki,, 2018. "Madrasah for girls and private school for boys? The determinants of school type choice in rural and urban Indonesia," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 96-111.
    11. Sujarwoto Sujarwoto, 2021. "Does Happiness Pays? A Longitudinal Family Life Survey," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(2), pages 679-701, April.

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