To commemorate its founding 25 years ago, PS is republishing a selection of commentaries written since 1994. In the following commentary, Christine Lagarde argued that progress on increasing women’s access to labor markets – not just to high-powered positions – has stalled.
WASHINGTON, DC – In many countries, public debate about gender equality focuses mainly on women’s access to top positions and high-powered career opportunities. But the “glass ceiling” is only a small part of the issue. The broader question is whether women have the same opportunities as men to participate in labor markets in the first place. In other words, are women empowered to contribute fully to global economic growth and prosperity?
Unfortunately, the latest study by International Monetary Fund staff, “Women, Work, and the Economy,” shows that, despite some improvements, progress toward leveling the playing field for women has stalled. This is bad news for everyone, because it translates into lower economic growth – a loss of as much as 27% of per capita GDP in some countries.
Around the world, the number of women in the workforce remains far below that of men: only about half of working-age women are employed. Women account for most unpaid work, and are overrepresented in the informal sector and among the poor. They continue to be paid less than men for the same jobs, even in OECD countries, where the average gender wage gap is about 16%. And in many countries, distortions and discrimination in the labor market restrict women’s chances of equal pay and rising to senior positions.
The potential gains from a larger female workforce are striking. In Egypt, for example, if the number of female workers were raised to the same level as that of men, the country’s GDP could grow by 34%. In the United Arab Emirates, GDP would expand by 12%, in Japan by 9%, and in the United States by 5%. According to a recent study based on data from the International Labor Organization, of the 865 million women worldwide who could contribute more fully to their economies, 812 million live in emerging and developing countries.
Raising women’s labor-market participation rate boosts economic performance in a number of ways. For example, higher incomes for women lead to higher household spending on educating girls – a key prerequisite for faster long-term growth. Employment of women on an equal basis with men provides companies with a larger talent pool, potentially increasing creativity, innovation, and productivity. And, in advanced countries, a larger female labor force can help to counteract the impact of a shrinking workforce and mitigate the costs of an aging population.
So what underlies the persistence of gaping inequality? Legal, regulatory, and social discrimination against women in many countries prevents them from seeking paid work in the formal sector; that is why women dominate the informal economy, where jobs are often transient and earnings are low. In addition, tax systems and social-welfare programs in many countries are designed in ways that discourage women from working.
Against this background, government tax and spending policies, as well as labor-market regulation, should be reformed to help boost female employment. For 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.
Linking social-welfare benefits to participation in the workforce, training, or active labor-market programs can also help, as can affordable, high-quality childcare and greater opportunities for paternity and maternity leave. In Brazil, the share of women in the workforce has risen sharply over the past 20 years, from about 45% to almost 60%, owing in part to family-friendly policies.
These are just a few examples; far more can be done. Women benefit when flexible work arrangements are introduced, and the barriers between part-time and full-time work contracts are lowered, as the Netherlands has successfully done. In developing countries, accessible water and better transportation systems in rural areas can help women to manage their time better. Establishing and upholding equal property and inheritance rights can increase women’s access to credit and other productive resources, and creating greater awareness of legal rights in general helps to reduce discrimination.
Some of these steps have been taken in recent years, but it is time to jumpstart the process. Policymakers must take action to implement measures aimed at removing the obstacles that block women’s participation in the workforce. We at the IMF will do our part by enhancing our analysis of the economic effects of gender inequality and working with our member countries to enable women to contribute fully to global economic growth and prosperity.
Especially now, with the growth outlook uncertain in much of the world, policies that encourage more women to enter the workforce certainly can help. Women are ready, willing, and able. Take my word for it.
WASHINGTON, DC – In many countries, public debate about gender equality focuses mainly on women’s access to top positions and high-powered career opportunities. But the “glass ceiling” is only a small part of the issue. The broader question is whether women have the same opportunities as men to participate in labor markets in the first place. In other words, are women empowered to contribute fully to global economic growth and prosperity?
Unfortunately, the latest study by International Monetary Fund staff, “Women, Work, and the Economy,” shows that, despite some improvements, progress toward leveling the playing field for women has stalled. This is bad news for everyone, because it translates into lower economic growth – a loss of as much as 27% of per capita GDP in some countries.
Around the world, the number of women in the workforce remains far below that of men: only about half of working-age women are employed. Women account for most unpaid work, and are overrepresented in the informal sector and among the poor. They continue to be paid less than men for the same jobs, even in OECD countries, where the average gender wage gap is about 16%. And in many countries, distortions and discrimination in the labor market restrict women’s chances of equal pay and rising to senior positions.
The potential gains from a larger female workforce are striking. In Egypt, for example, if the number of female workers were raised to the same level as that of men, the country’s GDP could grow by 34%. In the United Arab Emirates, GDP would expand by 12%, in Japan by 9%, and in the United States by 5%. According to a recent study based on data from the International Labor Organization, of the 865 million women worldwide who could contribute more fully to their economies, 812 million live in emerging and developing countries.
Raising women’s labor-market participation rate boosts economic performance in a number of ways. For example, higher incomes for women lead to higher household spending on educating girls – a key prerequisite for faster long-term growth. Employment of women on an equal basis with men provides companies with a larger talent pool, potentially increasing creativity, innovation, and productivity. And, in advanced countries, a larger female labor force can help to counteract the impact of a shrinking workforce and mitigate the costs of an aging population.
So what underlies the persistence of gaping inequality? Legal, regulatory, and social discrimination against women in many countries prevents them from seeking paid work in the formal sector; that is why women dominate the informal economy, where jobs are often transient and earnings are low. In addition, tax systems and social-welfare programs in many countries are designed in ways that discourage women from working.
BLACK FRIDAY SALE: Subscribe for as little as $34.99
Subscribe now to gain access to insights and analyses from the world’s leading thinkers – starting at just $34.99 for your first year.
Subscribe Now
Against this background, government tax and spending policies, as well as labor-market regulation, should be reformed to help boost female employment. For 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.
Linking social-welfare benefits to participation in the workforce, training, or active labor-market programs can also help, as can affordable, high-quality childcare and greater opportunities for paternity and maternity leave. In Brazil, the share of women in the workforce has risen sharply over the past 20 years, from about 45% to almost 60%, owing in part to family-friendly policies.
These are just a few examples; far more can be done. Women benefit when flexible work arrangements are introduced, and the barriers between part-time and full-time work contracts are lowered, as the Netherlands has successfully done. In developing countries, accessible water and better transportation systems in rural areas can help women to manage their time better. Establishing and upholding equal property and inheritance rights can increase women’s access to credit and other productive resources, and creating greater awareness of legal rights in general helps to reduce discrimination.
Some of these steps have been taken in recent years, but it is time to jumpstart the process. Policymakers must take action to implement measures aimed at removing the obstacles that block women’s participation in the workforce. We at the IMF will do our part by enhancing our analysis of the economic effects of gender inequality and working with our member countries to enable women to contribute fully to global economic growth and prosperity.
Especially now, with the growth outlook uncertain in much of the world, policies that encourage more women to enter the workforce certainly can help. Women are ready, willing, and able. Take my word for it.