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Measuring gender disparity in educational attainment using the relative mean deviation for 146 countries and economies over the period 1950-2015

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  • Takahiro Akita

    (IUJ Research Institute, International University of Japan)

Abstract

This study measures gender disparity in educational attainment using the relative mean deviation from 1950 to 2015, based on the Barro-Lee dataset. The relative mean deviation is proposed as an alternative to the between-gender education Gini derived from the decomposition of the education Gini by gender. Through a dynamic panel data analysis, the study demonstrates that gender disparity, as measured by the relative mean deviation, follows a U-shaped relationship with mean years of education. Gender disparity initially declines as education expands, but after reaching a minimum at an estimated mean years of education of 8.7, it begins to increase.

Suggested Citation

  • Takahiro Akita, 2026. "Measuring gender disparity in educational attainment using the relative mean deviation for 146 countries and economies over the period 1950-2015," Working Papers EMS_2026_03, Research Institute, International University of Japan.
    • Handle: RePEc:iuj:wpaper:ems_2026_03
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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