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The Effect of Gender Equality on International Soccer Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Julia Bredtmann

    (Aarhus University)

  • Carsten J. Crede

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Sebastian Otten

    (Ruhr University Bochum)

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a new estimation strategy that uses the variation in success between the male and the female national soccer team within a country to identify the causal impact of gender equality on women's soccer performance. In particular, we analyze whether within-country variations in labor force participation rates and life expectancies between the genders, which serve as measures for the countryÕs gender equality, are able to explain differences in the international success of male and female national soccer teams. Our results reveal that differences in male and female labor force participation rates and life expectancies are able to explain the international soccer performance of female teams, but not that of male teams, suggesting that gender equality is an important driver of female sport success.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Bredtmann & Carsten J. Crede & Sebastian Otten, 2014. "The Effect of Gender Equality on International Soccer Performance," University of East Anglia Applied and Financial Economics Working Paper Series 065, School of Economics, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK..
    • Handle: RePEc:uea:aepppr:2012_65
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Meshael Batarfi & J. James Reade, 2020. "Why are we so good at football, and they so bad? Institutions and national footballing performance," Economics Discussion Papers em-dp2020-17, Department of Economics, Reading University.
    2. Melanie Krause & Stefan Szymanski, 2017. "Convergence vs. the middle income trap: The case of global soccer," Working Papers 453, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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