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Gender effects on aggregate saving: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis

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  • Floro, Maria
  • Seguino, Stephanie

Abstract

This study investigates the hypothesis that shifts in women’s relative income, which affects their bargaining power in the household, have discernible effects on aggregate saving due to differing saving propensities by gender. An analytical framework for pooled and non-pooled savings households is developed to examine why women and men’s saving propensities may differ and how a change in women’s wage earnings relative to men’s influences household savings. An empirical analysis is conducted using panel data for a set of 20 semi-industrialized economies, covering the period 1975-95. The results indicate that as some measures of women’s discretionary income and bargaining power increase, aggregate saving rates rise, implying a significant effect of gender on aggregate savings. These findings demonstrate the importance of understanding gender relations at the household level in planning for savings mobilization and in the formulation of financial and investment policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Floro, Maria & Seguino, Stephanie, 2002. "Gender effects on aggregate saving: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis," MPRA Paper 6541, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Dec 2000.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:6541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Stephanie Seguino, 2005. "All types of inequality are not created equal: divergent impacts of inequality on economic growth," Working Papers 10, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, revised Oct 2005.
    2. Stephanie Seguino, 2008. "Gender, Distribution, and Balance of Payments (revised 10/08)," Working Papers wp133_revised, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
    3. Martha A. Starr, 2006. "Macroeconomic dimensions of social economics: Saving, the stock market, and pension systems," Working Papers 2006-09, American University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender; aggregate saving;

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth

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