Does Gender Kuznets Curve Exist in South Asian Countries? Role of Gender Equality and Economic Development

Abstract

This study aims to determine the relationship between gender equality and economic growth in major South Asian countries. This study suggests checking the gender Kuznets curve or whether the data support a linear, quadratic, or cubic gender Kuznets curve for major South Asian countries. We used time series data and covered the period from 1980 to 2019. We applied the Ng-Perron unit root test to check for non-stationary time series data. After the integration order is established, the autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) model is used in three steps. The ARDL bound testing approach of covariance shows that Sri Lanka has an S-shaped Gender Cognition Curve (GKC), India has a Z-shaped GKC, Pakistan has an S-shape, and Bangladesh has an S-shape. is the -shaped GKC association. Periods of countries were considered. We also conclude that gender equality is not a direct result of development. Consequently, politicians with gender equality policies should subsidize women's employment in times of financial hardship.