Convergence in Gender Inequality and Gender Development: A Panel Data Evidence

Abstract

Abstract The paper examined convergence process and outcomes in gender indicators (gender inequality and development indexes) for two global panels of 106 and 75 economies over the 1990-2013 period. The five convergence dimensions were considered: beta, sigma, gamma, stochastic, and club convergence. The statistical methods included cross-sectional regression, kernel density plots, panel unit root tests, the rank correlation, and Phillips-Sul club convergence algorithm. While there reduction in gender inequality and improvement in gender development across the panel, the convergence in most dimensions was observed only for the gender development. Formation of the clubs and the absence of convergence to a single level were common for gender inequality. Overall, the findings indicate that improvement in gender development indicators did not translate into higher gender equality, thereby suggesting corrective policy action at national and international levels.