Good news on the gender gap front

by Ricardo Hausmann, guest columnist

We are all so affected by bad news on so many fronts – rising global inequality, a looming economic crisis, a warming planet, etc. – that we seldom take the time to savor the good news when they happen.

According to the latest gender related statistics published in the 2007 World Development Indicators (WDI) by the World Bank, the gaps between the sexes are going through a major shift worldwide. In 2006, literacy ratios of young women between the ages of 15 and 25 were higher than young men’s in 54 out of 123 countries.

If we look at secondary school enrollment, in 2004 there were 84 out of 171 countries in which girls outnumbered boys. At college level, this is also true in 83 out of 141 reporting countries.

Tertiary school enrollment in 2004: female vs. male

Note: Countries above the red dots have more women than men in tertiary enrollment

A similar story emerges when we look at labor force participation. In 2005, women represented on average 40.3 percent of the in a sample of 200 countries. The graph below shows the percentage of the labor force composed of women in 2005 in the horizontal axis and the change of this variable the 1990-2005 period. While 78 countries show declines, including Egypt, Turkey, Sudan and Georgia, 122 countries show increases, many of them quite substantial, including Iran and Libya.

Increase in female labor force as a percentage of the total labor force between 1990 and 2005 vs. female labor force in 2005

So, it is not just in the US that the education gender gap has reversed. This signals coming changes in the role of women in the family, the economy and in marriage. There is a growing literature trying to work out what forces this may unleash. Murat Iyigun and co-authors have been thinking about this in a series of papers (see this and this). More couples will have a more educated wife whose income earning capacity will exceed that of their husbands. How this will change power relationships and family roles is a fascinating topic.

Comments

[nu]

"More couples will have a more educated wife whose income earning capacity will exceed that of their husbands."

I'm not sure about the income earning capacity.. Unless the income gap at equal qualification is reduced, the difference in education needs to be large for the difference in income to exist.

[haiocean]

If this change in gender gap in education leads to decrease in wage gap between men and women, then according to the recent NBER Working Paper No. 13494 by Anna Aizer, violence against women (pregnant women, in particular) by domestic partners will decrease, which in turn leads to better child health.

[inthemachine]

"More couples will have a more educated wife whose income earning capacity will exceed that of their husbands."

Quick, somebody tell the mother-in-laws!

[lux]

The real question is, what happens to all those women with their advanced degrees when they hit the workforce? Are they still being paid less than men? Are they getting equal opportunities in hiring, promotion, etc?

[odanu]

I have an MSW, and my husband has an HVAC certification. 6 years of advanced education vs. 1 year. He makes almost double what I do. Education does not translate directly into income. "Traditionally female" professions are paid significantly less than "traditionally male" professions despite the amount of education required, and wages drop when the status changes from a male dominated profession to a female dominated one. On top of that, even in the same field men make significantly more than women.

[joe blow]

I have an MSW, and my husband has an HVAC certification. 6 years of advanced education vs. 1 year. He makes almost double what I do."

Thats becasue MSWs are worthless and a dime a dozen. A high school grad can do the same work that an MSW can do.

On the other hand, doing HVAC stuff requires real training. A high school grad certainly could NOT do that kind of work without extra training.

If you have evidence that male MSWs with equivalent experience and hours/week are getting paid more than women at the same level, then post it and I'll be the first to march in protest.

Of course, all you really have is a bunch of studies that dont correct for htose variables. They compare female MSWs who took 5 years off to raise kids and who have 10 years of experience vs male MSWs who work 60 hours/week, never took any time off to raise kids, and have 20 years of experience. And then everybody is shocked and appalled when the male MSW makes more $$$

[odanu]

joe blow, I rest my case. You seem to think that the "soft skills" (people skills) required to assess for mental illness and addiction and other life factors, and help the patient heal is somehow "innate", though most people can't do it.

And the study about men making more than women in the field? It was posted on the wall of my university's MSW office.

You have almost got a bingo, Joe. Keep it up and I'll throw in the center chip for free :D

[dug]

"If you have evidence that male MSWs with equivalent experience and hours/week are getting paid more than women at the same level, then post it and I'll be the first to march in protest."

Here's my prediction. No you won't. You will keep trying to find "reasons" why the women "deserve" to be paid less.

Anyway, let's start with this: http://kuznets.fas.harvard.edu/~goldin/papers/pollution.pdf

The evidence is out there, even if it doesn't fit with your priors.

[gaddeswarup]

Andrew Leonard has some encouraging news here:
http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/2007/10/24/son_preference_in_korea/index.html

[matt]

How is it a "good thing" that boys are less likely to have basic literary skills or a college education than girls? Why do you act as though gender inequality something to be celebrated when it's males who are getting the short end of the stick?

[Custom Essays]

Thanks for your information. Most of the posts in the blog is really valuable. Regards

[mahlet]

Dear Sir/Madam

My name is Mahlet (Miss) I am 25 years old young woman live in Middle East. I would like to ask you some information about some issue, I would be great full if I can get your replay.

I am waiting to hear from you.

Blesses

[danial]

good blog

[danial]

good blog

[danial]

good blog

[custom essays]

WOW, this'll keep me busy for years. I've been subscribing to your RSS feed for months, but somehow I missed this great list.

[Term paper]

Nice blog, its great article informative post, thanks for sharing it. Thanks for the information!

[Term paper]

Nice blog, its great article informative post, thanks for sharing it. Thanks for the information!

[UK dissertation]

Excellent work every buddy can get lots of interesting information, keep on posting this type of brilliant articles.

http://www.ukdissertations.net/

[Dissertation writing help]

Excellent Blog every one can get lots of information for any topics from this blog nice work keep it up.

[Mmorpg]

Wow, very nice aniamted chart there. good job.

[Buy term papers]

Blogs are so interactive where we get lots of informative on any topics...... nice job keep it up !!

[Account Deleted]

grate to see informative

[PaulWilliams]

"In 2006, literacy ratios of young women between the ages of 15 and 25 were higher than young men’s in 54 out of 123 countries." - That's amazing.

[Buy Viagra]

hello fellas, i really like this blog is incredible, intresting and usefull.

[Viagra Online]

I am really concerned about warming planet!! This is a serious problem and we are not doing anything to get better!!

Peter P. Walters

[Skin Care Age]

this is a wonderful site! i love it, thank you so much for sharing this information with us!
cheryl

[naty]

hiii

[Business Plan]

Hi,
That's a great info. Thanks for sharing, really like your view. I can see that you are putting a lot of time and effort into your blog. Keep posting the good work.

[Canadian Generic Meds]

Hello people want to express my satisfaction with this blog very creative and I really like the views of the focus very good indeed

[us drugstore]

This is some very valueable information, thank you very much.

[pharmacy rx]

I read New Delhi also has a low female literacy rate, gender gap, low life expectancy and a range of other women-centric issues which are facing India can only be addressed if more women...

[Celebrity Tube]

great stuff here

[arconame35]

You are doing very interesting research referring to this good post! Thus, the dissertation writing services or some buy thesis services, will take at the dissertation form.

[arconame37]

A lot of times some people would like to buy the best thesis proposal about this topic at the buy dissertation service. Could you please offer some thesis writing services? Thank you so much.

[sygdomme]

De gør meget interessant forskning med henvisning til denne gode indlæg!

[Research Paper]

Many institutions limit access to their online information. Making this information available will be an asset to all.

[Term Papers]

Thanks for share this information, i just know about that,and will get advantage from this,Thanks for share this.

[Dissertation Proposal]

well its soo good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, thanx now i have the thing which i was looking for my research.

[College Research Paper]

I appreciate the work of all people who share information with others.

[buy viagra]

how curious, it has double the statics of past years ..

[nike shox sale]

Nike Shox|Nike Shox Sale is special for you with a very pretty design

[Ugg london]

Don't waste your time on a man/woman, who isn't willing to waste their time on you.

[mini fridge]

This is a great and an informative post, thank you for posting this

[bopbasf]

humidifier

[Dare Dorm College]

Wow!

[Pariuri Online]

Thanks for sharing these info with us! I was reading something similar on another website that i was researching. I will be sure to look around more. thanks...

[rolex watches]

This is clearly replica watches the job for our legal fraternity to engage the establishment to necessary breitling watches steps by filing petitions in various courts. IF one fails another should be cartier watches filed taking every one to task. It is rolex watches useless to suggest ways and means to solve tag heuer watches the day to day problem to well paid employees tissot watches of government controlled establishments. Only active omega watches judiciary will resolve this problem.
http://www.watchvisa.com
http://www.watchvisa.com/breitling-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/cartier-watches.html

[rado watches]

Why is everyone just montblanc watches willing to accept power cuts? Don't you think that patek philippe watches having continious power is your right? If people aren't going to demand rado watches 24X7 power, don't expect anything zenith watches to change. The government needs to look at other sources parmigiani watches of power generation. The only solution is more power panerai watches production. Nothing less.
http://www.watchvisa.com/montblanc-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/patek_philippe-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/rado-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/tudor-watches.html

[Custom Essay Writing]

Great post.. And I agree with your thoughts especially with your last paragraph…
Thanks for information you’ve given.. I will back for more..

Many Thanks!
Waqas Dogar
http://www.ahcorporation.com
http://english2urdutranslations.com

[DISSERTATION EXPRESS]

good one

[quality writing service]

Very interesting and informative site! Good job done by you guys, Thanks

[edit relief]

good one

[edit relief]

interesting job

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[custom essay writing]

good and full of information.

[runescape gold]

Contents of the article you are very rich, very beautiful picture very interesting, I love it. Thanks!

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[good essays]

good and full of knowledge.

[arcono29]

A success always depends on argument essay presented by custom essay writing service. But your information just about this topic is cool too.

[arcono29]

If I need the essay outline, I will ask essayscentre.com to help me. But you can make the superb topic close to this good topic by yourself. You have master’ writing skills, I can tell you, I tell you.

[EcommerceURL]

Plantar fasciitis or inflammation of the plantar fascia comes about when the plantar fascia suffers microscopic tears at the point where it joins to the heel bone, or along its length.
http://www.plantar-fasciitistreatment.com/plantar-fasciitis-exercises

plantar exercises

[Vintage Brooches]

For years men and women truly loved each other, but only in the last century, their love made them to understand women deserve equal rights and meaning.

So now it's also beginning to seep up into it.

Situation changes, but in the end everything will be fixed and well,for all genders - male and female.

[solar street lights]

I had never see a blog batter than this blog, I like this blog very very much.By the way, do you like my products

[rolex watches]

People usually say :"Seeing is believing." http://www.tt88times.com
Each attempt has a corresponding gain, in part or obvious, or vague. At least we have the kind of satisfaction After I bought this watch ,in a sense,it means a great deal to me. http://www.fashionhairfu.com

[generic viagra]

The graph is interesting and appreciable.This is something that is informative.I always wait for your blog.I appreciate the best efforts of the author.

[Term Papers]

This graph below shows the percentage of the labor force composed of women in 2005 in the horizontal axis and the change of this variable the 1990-2005 period this is amazing research.

[Alex]

Gender Gap is a debatable issue today. I’ve decided to devote my paper to it. I’m not sure about the topic. Which one is better: “The Change of Family Roles” or “Internet and Gender”? I will turn to a site with custom dissertations as soon as I choose the topic.

[London Escorts]

Nice to keep updated with the progress. I am also hoping to find more myself. Thank you.

[cna training information]

It was a very nice thought! Just wanna say thank you for the selective information you have distributed. Just continue composing this kind of post. I will be your patriotic reader. Gives Thanks over again.

[MBT Shoes]

Thank you for introducing me the useful information.And .....Totally boring. can you tell me where is the red and gold colors...? I predict a very low seller....I look forward your answer.thank you!

[Nike Air Jordan]

The good news, thank you!

[Generic Viagra]

Thats becasue MSWs are worthless and a dime a dozen. A high school grad can do the same work that an MSW can do.

[generic viagra online]

Thanks for sharing this information. Very effective
data It clear idea about literacy ratios of young women.

..Alex

[Account Deleted]

I really appreciate and enjoyed the article. Good information. http://www.optimizationindia.com/

[Account Deleted]

I’ll definitely refer this content to all my close friends and colleagues.

[Medela Symphony]

The news is indeed a good one, i mean thanks God that people have grown up and have started to realize that there should not be a gender difference, those who think about it are the curse on society!
Nicole Hogan

[Custom Essay Writing]

Hi,
It has been witnessed that now a day in couples the wives are more educated than the husbands and also they are earning much good than their husbands. You have shared very good information, the charts are very good. Keep it up.

[Ways to Lose Weight]

Never give a party if you will be the most interesting person there.

[Online Order Essay Help]

That's a impressive idea!

www.customessayhelp.com

[Essays writing Help]

Wow, very pleasant lively chart there. superior job.

http://www.allwritingsource.co.uk/essay-writing-service.php

[lachou]

I like these articles , democratic countries formulate policies are both team and the interests of the people of power, but the undemocratic countries rarely for the interests of the people, http://www.jerseysky.com it is the sorrow of many democracy, I like the western and northern state policy.
http://www.cheapsaleing.com
http://www.nikeairmaxshoe.ocm

[lachou]

I like these articles , democratic countries formulate policies are both team and the interests of the people of power, but the undemocratic countries rarely for the interests of the people, http://www.jerseysky.com it is the sorrow of many democracy, I like the western and northern state policy.
http://www.cheapsaleing.com
http://www.nikeairmaxshoe.ocm

[custom essays]

It is not a gender gap as much as it is a financial gap.