Global Evidence on Gender Gaps and Child Poverty in Consumption

Ulugbek Aminjonov (), Olivier B. Bargain () and Maira Colacce
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Ulugbek Aminjonov: University of Bordeaux
Olivier B. Bargain: Université de Bordeaux
Maira Colacce: University of Bordeaux

No 17767, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Since intra-household resource distribution is unobserved, it is difficult to compare how women and children fare across countries. To address this, we analyze 45 household expenditure surveys from predominantly low- and middle-income countries, i.e. an international sample of around 2.4 million individuals. Using harmonized estimations of intra-household resource sharing, we construct globally comparable measures of gender inequality and child poverty in consumption. Our findings reveal a widespread imbalance: women receive about one-fifth less than men, leading to a 60% higher poverty rate. Children appear to fare even worse, though this is partly explained by differences in needs and sibling economies of scale. Intra-household inequalities are more pronounced in poorer countries and among low-income households within countries. Cross-checks with nutritional proxies tend to validate our results, linking household poverty and intra-household disparities to child undernutrition. Finally, we decompose global individual consumption inequality and find that 13%-32% (across measures) stems from inequality within households.

Keywords: resource sharing; intra-household inequality; child poverty; gender inequality; scale economies; nutrition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D13 I32 J13 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-03
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