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Gender inequality and growth: the case of rich vs. poor countries

Author

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  • Amin, Mohammad
  • Kuntchev, Veselin
  • Schmidt, Martin

Abstract

This paper uses cross-section data for 107 countries to explore the relationship between gender inequality and economic growth. The paper departs from the literature by using a broad measure of gender inequality that goes well beyond gender inequality in education, which has been the focus of most studies. Another novelty of the paper lies in exploring heterogeneity in the growth-gender inequality relationship. The results confirm that greater gender inequality is strongly associated with lower economic growth. However, this negative relationship between gender inequality and growth is entirely due to the relatively poor countries, with the relatively rich countries showing no such relationship. The findings have important implications for the design and targeting of gender-specific policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Amin, Mohammad & Kuntchev, Veselin & Schmidt, Martin, 2015. "Gender inequality and growth: the case of rich vs. poor countries," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7172, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7172
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Blog mentions

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    1. Quels liens entre inégalités de genre et croissance ?
      by ? in D'un champ l'autre on 2015-01-24 23:25:00

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    Cited by:

    1. Özlem Onaran & Cem Oyvat & Eurydice Fotopoulou, 2019. "The effects of gender inequality, wages, wealth concentration and fiscal policy on macroeconomic performance," FMM Working Paper 50-2019, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.
    2. Zuzana Brixiová Schwidrowski & Susumu Imai & Thierry Kangoye & Nadege Desiree Yameogo, 2021. "Assessing gender gaps in employment and earnings in Africa: The case of Eswatini," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(4), pages 643-663, July.
    3. Magali Jaoul-Grammare, 2017. "Policy Reform and Gender Inequality in French Higher Education: A Two-Generation Comparative Study," Working Papers of BETA 2017-02, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.
    4. Ms. Dalia S Hakura & Mr. Mumtaz Hussain & Ms. Monique Newiak & Mr. Vimal V Thakoor & Mr. Fan Yang, 2016. "Inequality, Gender Gaps and Economic Growth: Comparative Evidence for Sub-Saharan Africa," IMF Working Papers 2016/111, International Monetary Fund.
    5. Romina Kazandjian & Ms. Lisa L Kolovich & Ms. Kalpana Kochhar & Ms. Monique Newiak, 2016. "Gender Equality and Economic Diversification," IMF Working Papers 2016/140, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Haroon Ur Rashid Khan & Anwar Khan & Khalid Zaman & Agha Amad Nabi & Sanil S. Hishan & Talat Islam, 2017. "Gender discrimination in education, health, and labour market: a voice for equality," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(5), pages 2245-2266, September.
    7. Pierre-Richard Agénor, 2018. "A Theory of Social Norms, Women's Time Allocation, and Gender Inequality in the Process of Development," Centre for Growth and Business Cycle Research Discussion Paper Series 237, Economics, The University of Manchester.
    8. Romina Kazandjian & Lisa Kolovich & Kalpana Kochhar & Monique Newiak, 2019. "Gender Equality and Economic Diversification," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-24, April.

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