The Relationship of Gender Difference in Education to Economic Growth: A Cross-Country Analysis

The objectives of this study are: (1) to explore the cross-country relationship of gender gap in literacy levels and in enrollment rates to per capita GNP growth; (2) to find out whether the relationship of gender gap to economic growth in the countries of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) and/or the EAC (East Asian Countries) differs at a statistically significant level from that of the other countries under investigation due to socio-economic structural differences. Linear and linear-log regression models were used for the analysis. Dummy intercept shifters were included into the regressions to measure the effects of OPEC and EAC. Results showed that: (1) the relationship of narrowing literacy and enrollment gender gaps, at primary or secondary levels, to per capita GNP growth were positive and statistically significant; and (2) the effect of the OPEC dummy was negative on the intercept of the estimated regression lines, while the effect of the EAC dummy was positive. Both of the estimated OPEC and EAC effects were statistically significant. Further research on the possible socioeconomic factors that might have inhibited income growth in OPEC countries was suggested.