The Impact of Religion on Gender Gap in Adult Literacy in Developing Countries

Abstract

Literacy measures human capital of a country, literacy rates are much lower in developing countries compared to developed countries, especially the gap in literacy rates between men and female. We examine the determinants of the gender gap in literacy rates in developing countries, particularly the relationship between religion and gender gap in literacy. From the empirical study, we show that Protestant and Islam increase the gender gap in literacy in developing countries controlling other factors.