The Historical Gender Gap Index: A Longitudinal and Spatial Assessment of Sweden, 1870–1990

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Historical Gender Gap Index: A Longitudinal and Spatial Assessment of Sweden, 1870–1990

AU - Perrin, Faustine

AU - Karlsson, Tobias

AU - Kok, Joris

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - This paper investigates the evolution of gender equality in Sweden during a phase characterized by industrialization, urbanization, and demographic transition. To this end, we build a database with quantitative indicators to construct a spatial Historical Gender Gap Index. We find that after a period of stagnation, Sweden made significant progress in closing the gender gap from the 1940s onward to reach the high level of gender equality that it is now famous for. The empirical exploration of the relationship between gender equality and economic development reveals that regions displaying higher gender equality performed economically better than less gender-equal regions.

AB - This paper investigates the evolution of gender equality in Sweden during a phase characterized by industrialization, urbanization, and demographic transition. To this end, we build a database with quantitative indicators to construct a spatial Historical Gender Gap Index. We find that after a period of stagnation, Sweden made significant progress in closing the gender gap from the 1940s onward to reach the high level of gender equality that it is now famous for. The empirical exploration of the relationship between gender equality and economic development reveals that regions displaying higher gender equality performed economically better than less gender-equal regions.

U2 - 10.1017/S0022050723000359

DO - 10.1017/S0022050723000359

M3 - Article

SN - 0022-0507

VL - 83

JO - Journal of Economic History

JF - Journal of Economic History

IS - 4

ER -