This blog highlights key findings from a 2023 study that aims to uncover the intricate channels through which exports impact women’s employment. Analyzing data from nearly 30,000 manufacturing firms across 141 emerging economies, the study finds that, on average, firms that export employ 6.6 percentage points more women than those that do not export, even after controlling for factors like firm size, industry, and other variables. It concludes that competitive pressures from trade can reduce discrimination in employment, particularly in countries with limited domestic market competition. However, translating exports into jobs for women still largely depends on supportive laws and social norms that favor women’s mobility and workforce participation.
Blog » When Does Exporting Increase Women’s Employment in The Developing World? (2024)
When Does Exporting Increase Women’s Employment in The Developing World? (2024)
This blog highlights key findings from a 2023 study that aims to uncover the intricate channels through which exports impact women’s employment. Analyzing data from nearly 30,000 manufacturing firms across 141 emerging economies, the study finds that, on average, firms that export employ 6.6 percentage points more women than those that do not export, even after controlling for factors like firm size, industry, and other variables. It concludes that competitive pressures from trade can reduce discrimination in employment, particularly in countries with limited domestic market competition. However, translating exports into jobs for women still largely depends on supportive laws and social norms that favor women’s mobility and workforce participation.