The Relationship Between Women Workforce Participation and the Growth Rate of Gross Domestic Product (A Case Study of Pakistan)

Abstract

This study explains the impact of increase in the rate of women workforce participation on the growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a case study of Pakistan. Women is the pillar of a society which decides the strength or weakness of a nation. The data for research is collected from Pakistan Bureau of Statistic. The period of research is 9 years from (2001 to 2013). Data for (2002-03, 2004-05 and 2011-12) is not available. Based on previous research, it is hypothesized that increase in the rate of women workforce will increase the growth rate of GDP of Pakistan in the respective period. The results are expressed as Correlation Matrix, Descriptive Statistics and Ordinary Least Square (OLS). After analysis of all these estimates it is concluded that there is a weak positive relationship between the variables. Around 10% of GDP of Pakistan is explained by women workforce as the value of R-squared shows. The result of study shows that there is higher gender discrimination in the country. Better provision of education to women can remove this wide gap to an extent and improve the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Keywords; Women Workforce Participation, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Women Education, Socio-economic development. DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-9-14 Publication date :March 31 st 2019