Published Online:April 2026
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Applied Economics
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJAE040426
DOI:10.71329/IUPJAE/2026.25.2.72-86
Author Name:Shaista Jamal Kidwai and Nagendra Kumar Maurya
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Economics
Download Format:PDF
Pages:72-86
This study examines the impact of gender disparity on economic growth. The study utilizes gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate as the dependent variable, with gender inequality index (GII) and gender parity index (GPI) as independent variables. GDP and GPI were obtained from the World Bank Development Indicators, while GII data were sourced from the World Bank Open Data, covering the period from 1991 to 2022. A time series analysis was carried out using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to examine the short-run and long run relationships between these variables. The analysis reveals the significant and negative impact of GII on economic growth in the long term, which suggests persistent gender inequality may severely hinder economic growth. Continuous gender inequality exacerbates income inequality and social stratification, contributing to a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.
One of the most significant aspects of gender is that it is misused to discriminate against individuals based on their identity. Even in today’s modern world, gender continues to be a fundamental factor in social and economic disparities (Ridgeway, 2011). Gender gaps in numerous fields, including education, health, and job market, tend to be wider in developing countries than in developed ones (Jayachandran, 2015).