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The Effects of Fiscal Policieson the Economic Development of Women in the Middle East and North Africa

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  • Ms. Nicole Laframboise
  • Tea Trumbic

Abstract

Statistics indicate that the economic and social development of women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) compares unfavorably with most regions in the world. This paper assesses the influence of government expenditure and taxation policies on the economic and social welfare of women in the region. On the expenditure side, we test the explanatory power of public social spending in the determination of key female social indicators. We find that the relatively weak social outcomes for MENA women are not explained by the amount of government social spending, suggesting the answer lies in the efficiency and reach of present spending. With respect to taxation, the main issues in the literature on gender bias in taxation are highlighted and applied in a general manner to the MENA context. Some simple policy recommendations are suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Ms. Nicole Laframboise & Tea Trumbic, 2003. "The Effects of Fiscal Policieson the Economic Development of Women in the Middle East and North Africa," IMF Working Papers 2003/244, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2003/244
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    Cited by:

    1. Fofana, Ismaël & Corong, Erwin & Chatti, Rim & Bouazouni, Omar, 2012. "Taxation policy and gender employment in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A comparative analysis of Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia," IFPRI discussion papers 1227, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Alicia Girón, 2006. "Macroeconomía, desarrollo y género," Revista de Economía Institucional, Universidad Externado de Colombia - Facultad de Economía, vol. 8(15), pages 207-225, July-Dece.
    3. Odedoyin, Stephen, 2012. "Changing Fiscal Policy Actions, Economic Growth and Inflation in Nigeria, 1980-2009," MPRA Paper 94431, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 20 Jul 2012.
    4. Katrin Elborgh-Woytek & Monique Newiak & Kalpana Kochhar & Stefania Fabrizio & Kangni R Kpodar & Philippe Wingender & Benedict J. Clements & Gerd Schwartz, 2013. "Women, Work, and the Economy; Macroeconomic Gains from Gender Equity," IMF Staff Discussion Notes 13/10, International Monetary Fund.

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