2015/02/02 by Amarakoon Bandara · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics #Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth #Economic Growth and Productivity
paper · doi:10.1080/13545701.2014.986153
openalex publication_date 2015/02/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This study analyzes the impact of the gender gap in effective labor – defined as the combined effect of the gender gaps in labor force participation and education – on economic output per worker. The results indicate that the gender gap in effective labor has a negative effect on the economic output per worker in African countries. A 1 percent increase in the gender gap in effective labor leads to a reduction in output per worker by 0.43–0.49 percent in Africa overall, 0.29–0.50 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 0.26–0.32 percent in a wider group of countries from Africa and Asia. The total annual economic losses due to gender gaps in effective labor could be as high as US255 billion for the African region. Results confirm that Africa is missing its full growth potential because a sizeable portion of its growth reserve – women – is not fully utilized.