Bridging the Gender Gap in Education and Its Long-Run Impact on Economic Development: Evidence from South Asia

Abstract

This article examines the connection between gender equality in education and the long run economic development in South Asia. Based on conceptual frameworks of endogenous growth theory, and the human capital theory, the work provides a synthesis of the empirical studies on closing the gender gap in schooling and its impact on economic performance using both cross-country studies and panel-based studies, country-specific studies. The study concentrates on Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka between 1960 and 2020. The results are provided in two analytical tables: the first one will compare gender disparities in educational attainment and major economic indicators of the South Asian economies, and the second will synthesize the empirical estimates of the effects of gender equality in education on economic growth. The findings show that narrowing the gender gaps in education has a strong positive impact on economic growth and the female to male education ratio has a positive and strong relationship with the per capita income. The results indicate that South Asian nations where gender gaps have been reduced at a faster pace, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have had greater growth trajectories compared to countries where disparities are still prevalent. The article summarizes that to achieve a sustainable development in the region, specific investments in the education of girls, institutional changes to encourage their school attendance, and policies to translate educational benefits into labor markets are needed.

Keywords: Gender gap, education, economic development, South Asia, human capital, female schooling