Gender and its Relevance to Macroeconomic Policy: A Survey

October 1, 2006

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Janet Gale Stotsky. Gender and its Relevance to Macroeconomic Policy: A Survey, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2006) accessed September 20, 2024

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

This survey examines the implications of gender differences in economic behavior for macroeconomic policy. It finds that reducing gender inequality and improving the status of women may contribute to higher rates of economic growth and greater macroeconomic stability. Women's relative lack of opportunities in developing countries inhibits economic growth, while, at the same time, economic growth leads to a reduction in their disadvantaged condition. Equality of opportunity in labor and financial markets is critical to enabling women to take full advantage of improved macroeconomic conditions. Macroeconomic policies should take into account the benefits of reducing gender inequalities, especially in the lowest-income countries where these differences are most pronounced, and should consider the potentially harsher short-term effects of economic austerity measures on women to avoid exacerbating gender inequalities.

Subject: Education, Gender, Gender inequality, Labor, Labor markets, Women

Keywords: Economic development, Exchange rate, Gender, Gender inequality, Gender wage gap, Growth theory, Labor force, Labor markets, Macroeconomic policy, Middle East, North Africa, Per capita income, Production function, Rate of return, South Asia, Standard of living, Sub-Saharan Africa, Wage effect, Women, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

68
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2006/233
Stock No:

WPIEA2006233
ISBN:

9781451864939
ISSN:

1018-5941

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