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    Aggregate Costs of Gender Gaps in the Labor Market: A Quantitative Estimate


    Teignier, Marc and Cuberes, David (2014) Aggregate Costs of Gender Gaps in the Labor Market: A Quantitative Estimate. UB Economics Working Papers, E14 (308). pp. 1-30. ISSN 1136-8365

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    Abstract

    This paper examines the quantitative effects of gender gaps in entrepreneurship and labor force participation on aggregate productivity and income per capita. We simulate an occupational choice model with heterogeneous agents in entrepreneurial ability, where agents choose to be workers, self-employed or employers. The model assumes that men and women have the same talent distribution, but we impose several frictions on women's opportunities and pay in the labor market. In particular, we restrict the fraction of women participating in the labor market. Moreover, we limit the number of women who can work as employers or as self-employed and, finally, women who become workers receive a lower wage. Our model shows that gender gaps in entrepreneurship and in female workers' pay affect aggregate productivity negatively, while gender gaps in labor force participation reduce income per capita. Specifically, if all women are excluded from entrepreneurship, average output per worker drops by almost 12% because the average talent of entrepreneurs falls down, while if all women are excluded from the labor force income per capita is reduced by almost 40%. In the cross-country analysis, we find that gender gaps and their implied income losses differ importantly across geographical regions, with a total income loss of 27% in Middle East and North Africa and a 10% loss in Europe.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Span of control; Aggregate productivity; Entrepreneurship talent; Gender inequality;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics, Finance and Accounting
    Item ID: 19608
    Identification Number: 10.2139/ssrn.2405006
    Depositing User: David Cuberes
    Date Deposited: 26 Mar 2025 15:39
    Journal or Publication Title: UB Economics Working Papers
    Publisher: Universitat de Barcelona
    Refereed: Yes
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19608
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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