Explaining gender differences in economic outcomes in Burkina Faso
This paper examines gender gaps in Burkina Faso.
Abstract
Gender equality is central to economic development. This paper examines gender gaps in Burkina Faso and find that women鈥檚 labour force participation is 10 percentage points lower than men鈥檚 in 2019, while their wage earnings are 82% lower, business revenues are 61% lower, and value of agricultural production is 61% lower. Nationally, gender gaps in labour force participation, business revenues and crop sales are unchanged when compared to 2014 but increased significantly for wage earnings and (to a lesser extent) for harvest value. The gender gap in labour force participation increased in urban areas, while the northern part of Burkina Faso witnessed large increases in the business revenue gender gap. The wage gap increased most in more rural regions. Results from decomposition analysis show that women鈥檚 lack of capital and male workers, lack of control over income and lower economic benefits from marriage along with lower levels of skills and farming inputs have the largest associations with the gaps. The paper reviews evidence based policy options for tackling the identified gaps for each sector, which include providing vocational skills to women, improving their access to capital, increasing the effectiveness of agricultural extension services and expanding the provision of childcare services and gender norms interventions.
This output is part of the Africa Gender Innovation Lab programme.
Citation
Donald AA and others. 鈥楨xplaining gender outcomes in Burkina Faso鈥� Policy Research Working Paper, World Bank, 2024