Working Paper: NBER ID: w22766
Authors: Rachel Heath; Seema Jayachandran
Abstract: Two important recent trends in most developing countries have are the rise in female labor force participation and the closing of gender gaps in school enrollment. This article begins by exploring the causes of the increases in female education, which include greater job availability and policy interventions that have promoted girls’ education. The article then explores the causes of increased female employment, which include a sectoral shift from “brawn-based” industries to services, as well as policies that have increased girls’ education. The article also discusses the effects of these increases in female education and labor supply, particularly for the well-being of women.
Keywords: female education; labor force participation; developing countries
JEL Codes: J16; O15
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Increased Female Education (I24) | Greater Job Availability (J68) |
| Greater Job Availability (J68) | Increased Female Education (I24) |
| Increased Female Education (I24) | Policy Interventions (D78) |
| Policy Interventions (D78) | Increased Female Education (I24) |
| Sectoral Shifts (L16) | Increased Female Employment (J21) |
| Increased Female Employment (J21) | Sectoral Shifts (L16) |
| Economic Development (O29) | Increased Female Labor Supply (J49) |
| Increased Female Education (I24) | Delayed Fertility (J13) |
| Increased Female Education (I24) | Healthier Children (I19) |
| Job Availability (J29) | Women's Bargaining Power (J16) |
| Increased Female Employment (J21) | Domestic Violence (J12) |