Economic Growth and Evolution of Gender Equality

Damjanovic, T.; Selvaretnam, G.

doi:10.1111/manc.12274

Economic Growth and Evolution of Gender Equality

Damjanovic, T.; Selvaretnam, G.

Authors

Professor Tatiana Damjanovic tatiana.damjanovic@durham.ac.uk
Professor

G. Selvaretnam

Abstract

We present an evolutionary growth model where the degree of gender equality evolves towards the value maximising social output. It follows that a womans bar- gaining power should depend positively on her relative productivity. When an economy is less developed, physical strength plays a key role in production and thus, total out- put is greater when the man gets a larger share. As society develops and accumulates physical capital and human capital, the woman becomes relatively more productive, which drives the output maximising social norm towards gender equality. Empirical results support these predictions of the theoretical model. Simulations show that in the long run, an economy with gender equality can outperform an economy where gender balance of power maximises social output, although in the short run, it can lag behind.

Citation

Damjanovic, T., & Selvaretnam, G. (2020). Economic Growth and Evolution of Gender Equality. Manchester School, 88(1), 1-36. https://doi.org/10.1111/manc.12274

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Mar 20, 2019
Online Publication Date	May 8, 2019
Publication Date	Jan 31, 2020
Deposit Date	May 7, 2019
Publicly Available Date	May 8, 2021
Journal	Manchester School
Print ISSN	1463-6786
Publisher	University of Manchester
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	88
Issue	1
Pages	1-36
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/manc.12274
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1296882

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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Damjanovic, T. & Selvaretnam, G. (2020). Economic Growth and Evolution of Gender Equality. The Manchester School 88(1): 1-36 which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/manc.12274. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.