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The Women Empowering Effect of Higher Education

Author

Listed:
  • Elsayed, Ahmed

    (American University in Cairo)

  • Shirshikova, Alina

    (Maastricht University /ROA)

Abstract

We examine the effects of the large-scale construction of public universities in Egypt during the 1960s and 1970s. We found that opening a local university increased the likelihood of obtaining higher education degrees and had long-lasting positive effects on labor market and marriage outcomes, particularly for women. We give insights on internal migration as a channel and show that migration prior to university enrollment age decreased while migration after that age increased as an outcome of university construction. Local universities reduced men's migration for study and women's migration for early marriage. The paper highlights the importance of increasing access to higher education for positive social and labor outcomes, particularly for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Elsayed, Ahmed & Shirshikova, Alina, 2023. "The Women Empowering Effect of Higher Education," IZA Discussion Papers 16069, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16069
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Adamecz, Anna & Dickson, Matt & Shure, Nikki, 2025. "The labour market returns to graduation: reconciling administrative and survey data estimates," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    4. Yuanyuan Chen & Jiaxin Wang & Meng Yuan, 2025. "Tiger moms: mother’s education and investments in children’s human capital in China," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(4), pages 1-33, December.
    5. Fang, Lei & Fu, Fia Yi & Zhao, Jinsong & McCarl, Bruce A. & Yu, Chin-Hsien, 2025. "What does urban-rural equality bring to gender equality? A story of electrification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    6. Hertweck, Friederike & Yasar, Serife, 2024. "The impact of university openings on local youth," Ruhr Economic Papers 1075, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    7. Yusra Alkasasbeh, 2025. "Women’s Agency in Jordan: The Impact of Marriage and Motherhood Moderated by Education," Working Papers 1776, Economic Research Forum, revised 20 May 2025.
    8. Marina Couva & Michael A. Talias & Miranda Christou & Elpidoforos S. Soteriades, 2024. "Women’s Empowerment and Health: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Han, Jiajun & Zhang, Yuan, 2025. "Education and tolerance towards Homosexuality—Evidence from China," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    10. Purnamita Dasgupta & Girika Sharma & Arabinda Mishra, 2025. "Equity and justice for sustainable development: comparing evidence on adaptation enablers from Indian States," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 30(8), pages 1-26, December.
    11. Barbara Boelmann, 2024. "Women’s Missing Mobility and the Gender Gap in Higher Education: Evidence from Germany’s University Expansion," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 280, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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