Gender Inequality as a Barrier to Economic Growth: a Review of the Theoretical Literature

Manuel Santos Silva and Stephan Klasen

No 252, Courant Research Centre: Poverty, Equity and Growth - Discussion Papers from Courant Research Centre PEG

Abstract: In this article, we survey the theoretical literature investigating the role of gender inequality in economic development. The vast majority of theories reviewed suggest that gender inequality is a barrier to development, particularly over the long run. Among the many plausible mechanisms through which inequality between men and women affects the aggregate economy, the role of women for fertility decisions and human capital investments is particularly important. Yet, we believe the body of theories could be expanded in several directions.

Keywords: Gender equality; Economic growth; Fertility; Human capital; Comparative development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E20 J13 J16 J24 O11 O41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-08-19
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro, nep-hpe and nep-mac
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Gender inequality as a barrier to economic growth: a review of the theoretical literature (2021)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:got:gotcrc:252

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