Global Employment Gender Gaps

Gender Notes, December 5, 2024

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Global Employment Gender Gaps

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Bibliographic details

• Authors: Diego B. P. Gomes, Dharana Rijal
• Published: December 5, 2024
• Series: Gender Notes
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400294136.067

Summary and main findings

• The note examines the factors behind global employment gender gaps, highlighting labor force participation (LFP) rates as a key contributor.
• Analysis of 2022 data shows most countries have higher employment for men than for women, driven mainly by LFP rate differences.
• The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these gaps, particularly through its impact on LFP rates.
• The study emphasizes the need for policies to boost female LFP by addressing both supply and demand issues in the labor market and supporting women’s entry and retention in the workforce.

Drivers of employment gender gaps

• Labor force participation (LFP) rates identified as the primary contributor to observed employment gender gaps.
• Employment differences across countries are largely attributable to differences in female versus male LFP rather than other components of employment metrics.

COVID-19 impact

• The COVID-19 pandemic amplified global employment gender gaps.
• The pandemic’s main channel in worsening gaps was through its adverse effects on LFP rates.

Policy recommendations

• Boost female labor force participation by addressing both supply-side and demand-side issues in the labor market.
• Support women’s entry and retention in the workforce through targeted policies (details and specific measures are within the full note).

Content in this bundle

• Global Employment Gender Gaps
  • Global Employment Gender Gaps (Markdown version)
  • Global Employment Gender Gaps (PDF)