Achieving gender equality: development versus historical legacies

Abstract

Economic development is often held to be beneficial for gender equality. However, there is good reason to believe that persistent institutions such as religion, legal traditions, and family practices, also matter. This article provides an empirical assessment of the relative importance of development and historical determinants of gender equality at the crossnational level. To capture this long-term relationship, a new index of gender equality that stretches back to 1950 is introduced. The determinants of this index are analysed using data on development and religious, legal, and family traditions. We find that variables measuring the long-lasting institutions of countries can be as important as economic development in determining gender equality outcomes. Thus, our study highlights the importance of considering the historical context of a country when analysing the determinants of gender equality gaps. (JEL codes: J160, N000, Z130, J120)