Gender Inequality, Institutional Quality, and Economic Outcomes in the European Union
27 Pages Posted: 22 Apr 2024
Date Written: April 20, 2024
Abstract
Our model, analyzing multi-decade data from the European Union, suggests that gender inequality acts as a mediator between institutional quality and economic outcomes. Empirical results indicate that institutional quality significantly influences these outcomes, with positive associations observed with trade and GDP, and negative associations with innovation. Institutional quality positively (negatively) impacts workforce (educational) inequality. Institutions prioritize reducing workforce inequality to boost trade and GDP, but struggle to address educational inequality, which does not similarly contribute to economic growth. While workforce inequality has a negligible impact on innovation, educational inequality significantly impedes it.
Keywords: European Union; Gender inequality; Gross domestic product; Innovation; Institutional quality
JEL Classification: F18, G15, G18, O33, I24
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