Gender gaps in the economy: evidence and policy perspectives

Gender gaps are still dominant in our economies. From educational attainment to labor market participation, wages, and careers, these gaps emerge early in life and persist across the life cycle. Although significant progress has been made in the last decades, the pace of change has been slow and gender gaps remain substantial. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take more than 130 years to close the gender gaps across the world. ‘Technological changes’ and the pandemic of ‘Covid-19’ have introduced additional challenges to achieving gender equality: while they may create new opportunities for both men and women, concerns remain about the demand for new skills, which women may lack, and the evolving economic landscape, which may impose new constraints on women’s progress. Understanding the causes and consequences of gender gaps and their evolution in times of technological changes and post-pandemic is crucial for designing effective policies that can accelerate progress toward equality.