IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/jintdv/v37y2025i7p1490-1502.html

Human Capital and Export Performance in East Asia: Focusing on Gender Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Dae‐yub Nam

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of gender‐disaggregated human capital on export performance in 11 East Asian countries, utilizing panel data spanning 1990–2022. Human capital is measured by the Human Development Index, expected years of schooling, and mean years of schooling, and export performance is captured by both the share of medium‐ and high‐tech exports and total exports as a percentage of GDP. Employing panel regression and error correction models, the analysis distinguishes between short‐ and long‐term effects. The results indicate that male human capital currently exerts a stronger influence on export performance, reflecting prevailing industrial structures and patterns of labour force participation. However, the contribution of female human capital—particularly expected years of schooling—has increased over time. The findings further demonstrate that human capital accumulation has a limited short‐term but substantial long‐term effect on export performance. Moreover, reducing gender inequality, as measured by the gender development index and gender inequality index, is positively associated with export outcomes. These results underscore the importance of gender‐sensitive human capital investment and policies that promote educational attainment and labour market inclusion for sustained export growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Dae‐yub Nam, 2025. "Human Capital and Export Performance in East Asia: Focusing on Gender Inequality," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(7), pages 1490-1502, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:37:y:2025:i:7:p:1490-1502
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.70020
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.70020
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/jid.70020?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jan Fagerberg & Bart Verspagen & G. N. von Tunzelmann (ed.), 1994. "The Dynamics Of Technology, Trade And Growth," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 163.
    2. Oriana Bandiera & Ashwini Natraj, 2013. "Does Gender Inequality Hinder Development and Economic Growth? Evidence and Policy Implications," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 28(1), pages 2-21, February.
    3. Cumings, Bruce, 1984. "The origins and development of the Northeast Asian political economy: industrial sectors, product cycles, and political consequences," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(1), pages 1-40, January.
    4. Dearden, Lorraine, et al, 2002. "The Returns to Academic and Vocational Qualifications in Britain," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 249-274, July.
    5. Pasquale Tridico, 2011. "Institutions, Human Development and Economic Growth in Transition Economies," Studies in Economic Transition, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-31388-0, September.
    6. Eric Hanushek & Ludger Woessmann, 2012. "Do better schools lead to more growth? Cognitive skills, economic outcomes, and causation," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 267-321, December.
    7. Qian, Junhui & Su, Liangjun, 2014. "Structural change estimation in time series regressions with endogenous variables," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 125(3), pages 415-421.
    8. Krugman, Paul, 1991. "Increasing Returns and Economic Geography," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 99(3), pages 483-499, June.
    9. Filip Kokotovic, 2016. "A Panel Regression Analysis Of Human Capital Relevance In Selected Scandinavian And Se European Countries," UTMS Journal of Economics, University of Tourism and Management, Skopje, Macedonia, vol. 7(1), pages 13-24.
    10. Pasquale Tridico, 2007. "Regional Human Development in transition economics: the role of institutions," Departmental Working Papers of Economics - University 'Roma Tre' 0070, Department of Economics - University Roma Tre.
    11. Caselli, Francesco & Esquivel, Gerardo & Lefort, Fernando, 1996. "Reopening the Convergence Debate: A New Look at Cross-Country Growth Empirics," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 363-389, September.
    12. Xiaogang He & Ruifeng Teng & Dawei Feng, 2024. "Climbing the Export Quality Ladder: Role of Human Capital," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 32(2), pages 125-159, March.
    13. Anjum Siddiqui & Atiq ur Rehman, 2017. "The human capital and economic growth nexus: in East and South Asia," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(28), pages 2697-2710, June.
    14. Amaia Altuzarra & Catalina Gálvez-Gálvez & Ana González-Flores, 2021. "Is Gender Inequality a Barrier to Economic Growth? A Panel Data Analysis of Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, January.
    15. Manuel Santos Silva & Stephan Klasen, 2021. "Gender inequality as a barrier to economic growth: a review of the theoretical literature," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 581-614, September.
    16. Lucas, Robert Jr., 1988. "On the mechanics of economic development," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 3-42, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vivian Thuso Molaodi, 2022. "Assessing the effect of education levels on economic growth in South Africa," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(10), pages 366-374, December.
    2. İbrahim Tuğrul Çınar, 2023. "Regional development trap in Turkey: Can relatedness find a way out?," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(4), pages 817-850, August.
    3. Guilherme Resende & Alexandre Carvalho & Patrícia Sakowski & Túlio Cravo, 2016. "Evaluating multiple spatial dimensions of economic growth in Brazil using spatial panel data models," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 56(1), pages 1-31, January.
    4. Eftimoski, Dimitar, 2022. "On the inconclusive effect of human capital on growth: A new look at extended specifications," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 708-727.
    5. Carlos Bethencourt & Fernando Perera-Tallo, 2024. "Public sector and human capital: on the mechanics of economic development," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 143(1), pages 1-66, September.
    6. Rafael González-Val & Pau Insa-Sánchez & Julio Martinez-Galarraga & Daniel A. Tirado-Fabregat, 2022. "Market access, the skill premium and human capital in Spain (1860-1930)," Working Papers 0229, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    7. Angel De la Fuente, 2011. "Human capital and productivity," Working Papers 1103, BBVA Bank, Economic Research Department.
    8. Lorenz Blume & Thomas Döring, 2009. "Unterschiede regionaler Wirtschaftskraft – welchen Einfluss hat die Landespolitik?," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 29(2), pages 105-120, October.
    9. Hans-Friedrich Eckey & Matthias Türck, 2007. "Convergence of EU-Regions. A Literature Report," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 10, pages 5-32.
    10. bouayad-agha-Hamouche, salima & turpin, nadine & védrine, lionel, 2012. "Fostering the potential endogenous development of European regions: a spatial dynamic panel data analysis of the Cohesion Policy," MPRA Paper 65470, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Omar Essardi & Redouane Razzouk, 2017. "Human Capital and Economic Growth in Morocco: Evidence from Bayesian Model Averaging," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(12), pages 167-182, December.
    12. Charles I. Jones & Paul M. Romer, 2010. "The New Kaldor Facts: Ideas, Institutions, Population, and Human Capital," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 2(1), pages 224-245, January.
    13. Artelaris, Panagiotis & Arvanitidis, Paschalis & Petrakos, George, 2007. "Explaining Knowledge-Based Economic Dynamism in a Global Scale," Papers DYNREG05, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    14. Gao, Ting, 2004. "Regional industrial growth: evidence from Chinese industries," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 101-124, January.
    15. Catherine Baumont, 1995. "Urban economics and endogenous dynamics in regional growth [Economies d'agglomération et dynamique endogène de croissance des régions]," Working Papers hal-01527237, HAL.
    16. Arun Natarajan Hariharan & Arindam Biswas, 2020. "A Critical review of the Indian knowledge‐based industry location policy against its theoretical arguments," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(3), pages 431-454, June.
    17. Benjamin Montmartin & Nadine Massard, 2015. "Is Financial Support For Private R&D Always Justified? A Discussion Based On The Literature On Growth," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 479-505, July.
    18. Aysit Tansel & Nil Demet Güngör, 2016. "Gender Effects of Education on Economic Development in Turkey," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Nadereh Chamlou & Massoud Karshenas (ed.), Women, Work and Welfare in the Middle East and North Africa The Role of Socio-demographics, Entrepreneurship and Public Policies, chapter 3, pages 57-86, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    19. Carlos Bethencourt & Fernando Perera-Tallo, 2020. "Human Capital, Economic Growth, and Public Expenditure," ADBI Working Papers 1066, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    20. César Lenin Navarro-Chávez & Francisco Javier Ayvar-Campos & Julio César Morán-Figueroa, 2026. "Economic Convergence Among Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Members. A Comparative Analysis, 1960–2020," Millennial Asia, , vol. 17(1), pages 7-29, March.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:37:y:2025:i:7:p:1490-1502. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/5102/home .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.