Gender Inequality in Education and Per Capita GDP: The Case of CEMAC Countries

Abstract

The global objective of the paper is to analyze the direct and indirect effects of gender inequality in education on GDP per capita of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) countries over the period from 1980 to 2014. Using an IV estimate and the GMM system estimator from Blundel and Bond (1998), the results show that an increase of gender equality index at primary-secondary and tertiary levels increases GDP per capita. Like the estimates using the gender equality index, a decrease of gender inequalities in education completion according to age groups has a beneficial effect on GDP per capita of the sample countries. As a result, CEMAC countries need to implement policies that reduce gender inequalities in education for sustainable economic growth. Also, an indirect negative impact of political instability, oil shocks and adolescent fertility on GDP is established.

Keywords: Gender Inequality in Education; GDP per capita; CEMAC Countries