Catalyst for Change: Empowering Women and Tackling Income Inequality

Author/Editor:

Christian Gonzales ; Sonali Jain-Chandra ; Kalpana Kochhar ; Monique Newiak ; Tlek Zeinullayev

Publication Date:

October 22, 2015

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Staff Discussion Note represents the views of the authors and does not necessarily represent IMF views or IMF policy. The views expressed herein should be attributed to the authors and not to the IMF, its Executive Board, or its management. Staff Discussion Notes are published to elicit comments and to further debate.

Summary:

This study shows empirically that gender inequality and income inequality are strongly interlinked, even after controlling for standard drivers of income inequality. The study analyzes gender inequality by using and extending the United Nation’s Gender Inequality Index (GII) to cover two decades for almost 140 countries,. The main finding is that an increase in the GII from perfect gender equality to perfect inequality is associated with an almost 10 points higher net Gini coefficient. For advanced countries, with higher gender equity in opportunities, income inequality arises mainly through gender gaps in economic participation. For emerging market and developing countries, inequality of opportunity, in particular in education and health, appear to pose larger obstacles to income equality.

Series:

Staff Discussion Notes No. 2015/020

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

October 22, 2015

ISBN/ISSN:

9781513533384/2617-6750

Stock No:

SDNEA2015020

Pages:

42

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