Gender Gap, Intensive Growth and Economic Welfare in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Abstract

This chapter examines the relationship between the gender gap in labor force participation, intensive growth and economic welfare in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) from 1981 to 2020 under the framework of the classical production function. The generalized method of moment (GMM) technique was employed in analyzing the data. The empirical result showed a negative and significant effect of the gender gap in labor force participation on intensive growth. It was also found that the gender gap in labor force participation had a negative and insignificant effect on economic welfare in SSA. Other findings showed that male labor force participation had a positive and insignificant effect on both intensive growth and economic welfare, while female labor force participation had a negative and significant effect on intensive growth and a negative and insignificant effect on economic welfare. Trade openness had a positive and significant effect on both intensive growth and economic welfare. Based on the findings, narrowing the gender gap in labor force participation has to be given more considerable attention in the SSA region.

Citation

Aduku, E.B., Anyanwu, O.C. and Edeme, R.K. (2022), "Gender Gap, Intensive Growth and Economic Welfare in Sub-Saharan African Countries", Chakraborty, C. and Pal, D. (Ed.) Environmental Sustainability, Growth Trajectory and Gender: Contemporary Issues of Developing Economies, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 153-165. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-153-220221012