Lagarde: Women Can Help Grow the World Economy

IMF Blog, September 23, 2013

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"Our latest study shows that despite some improvements, progress toward leveling the playing field for women has stalled," said Christine Lagarde.
Only about half of women of working age are employed.
If female labor force participation were raised to the same level as that of men:
- GDP would expand by 12 percent in the United Arab Emirates.
- GDP would expand by 9 percent in Japan.
- GDP would expand by 5 percent in the United States.
Women account for most unpaid work.
When paid, women are overrepresented in the informal sector and among the poor.
Women continue to be paid less than men for the same jobs.

High share of unpaid work performed by women.
Overrepresentation of women in the informal sector and among the poor.
Gender pay gaps: women paid less than men for the same jobs.
Fiscal and regulatory structures that discourage second earners from joining the labor force.

Reform government tax and spending policies as well as labor market regulation to boost female employment.
- Example: "taxing individual rather than family income—which in many economies imposes a higher marginal tax on the second earner in households—would encourage women to seek employment."
Link social benefits to participation in the workforce, training, or active labor market programs to increase female employment.
Expand availability of good and affordable childcare.
Increase opportunities for paternity and maternity leave.

The IMF study was launched on the eve of Lagarde’s appearance on a panel in New York with Bill Clinton, Sheryl Sandberg, and Mo Ibrahim, as part of the Clinton Global Initiative.
The blog post notes versions in Español and عربي.
Publication date: September 23, 2013.

IMF Blog — "Lagarde: Women Can Help Grow the World Economy", September 23, 2013.

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