Cover IMF Working Papers
Gender Equality and Economic Diversification
Author: Romina Kazandjian, Ms. Lisa L Kolovich, Ms. Kalpana Kochhar, and Ms. Monique Newiak
Series:
IMF Working Papers
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2016: Issue 140
Language:
English
Publication Date:
14 Jul 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781498367738.001
ISBN:
9781498367738
ISSN:
1018-5941
Pages:
29
Keywords:
WP; output diversification; Gender inequality; female labor force participation; economic diversification; economic growth; human capital; low-income and developing countries; export diversification; export product diversification; Theil index; globalization Index; Export diversification; Gender diversity; Women
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IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
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We show that gender inequality decreases the variety of goods countries produce and export, in particular in low-income and developing countries. We argue that this happens through at least two channels: first, gender gaps in opportunity, such as lower educational enrollment rates for girls than for boys, harm diversification by constraining the potential pool of human capital available in an economy. Second, gender gaps in the labor market impede the development of new ideas by decreasing the efficiency of the labor force. Our empirical estimates support these hypotheses, providing evidence that gender-friendly policies could help countries diversify their economies.
Cover IMF Working Papers
IMF Working Papers
ISSN:
1018-5941
Publisher:
International Monetary Fund