Women in the Workforce: An Unmet Potential in Asia and the Pacific

Asian Development Bank (adb), Asian Development Bank (adb) (), Asian Development Bank (adb) and Asian Development Bank (adb)
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Asian Development Bank (adb): Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, ADB
Asian Development Bank (adb): Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, ADB

No RPT157205-2, ADB Reports from Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Abstract: Despite economic growth, decreasing fertility rates, and rising education levels, women in Asia are on average 70% less likely than men to be in the labor force, with the country-to-country percentage varying anywhere from 3% to 80%. Results of a new simulation model suggest that closing the gender gap could generate a 30% increase in the per capita income of a hypothetical average Asian economy in one generation. This report discusses the reasons behind the continuing gap in the labor force participation rate between women and men in Asia and the Pacific, the impact of this gap on economic growth, and policy lessons drawn from specific country experiences in the region and elsewhere in the world. The channels of gender inequality are so complex that policy interventions must go beyond economics to effectively address them. Such a multidimensional approach to reducing gender inequality could unleash a nation’s full potential for inclusive growth and development.

Keywords: gender equality, gender equity; female labor force participation; economic growth, labor force participation rate, Asia and the Pacific, women in Asia, gender gap, gender wage gap, economic empowerment, employment quotas, job matching, flexible work arrangement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 58 pages
Date: 2015-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-sea
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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