Effects of Female Education on Economic Growth: A Cross Country Empirical Study

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which women’s education affects long-term economic growth in the Asia Pacific region. It focuses on the time period between 1990 and 2010, using data collected in randomly selected Asia Pacific countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In addition, it emphasizes the impact of female education on economic growth as measured by GDP, literacy, fertility, and the female labor force. Using panel regression analysis, it is found that the fertility rate, female labor force participation rate and female primary school enrollment are significant factors for annual per capita income growth.