The Gender Wealth Gap Louis Boakye-Yiadom University of Ghana/The Gender Asset Gap Project World Bank Workshop on Gender and Assets 14 June 2012

Outline The gender wealth gap – basic concept The gender wealth gap – findings from Ecuador, Ghana, and Karnataka (India); The gender wealth gap, using a modified measure; Summary of findings and concluding thoughts. 2

The Gender Wealth Gap – Basic Concept The gender wealth gap Females’ share of the value of assets; Incorporates both quantity and quality dimensions; Limitation: Focuses only on owners of assets 3

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The Gender Wealth Gap, Using a Modified Measure Measure G = F w – F p, where F w : Females’ share of wealth F p : Females’ share of the population G=0: An absence of a gender wealth gap G<0: A gender wealth gap in favour of males G>0: A gender wealth gap in favour of females 10

The Gender Wealth Gap, Using a Modified Measure – Cont... EcuadorGhanaKarnataka Females’ Share of Physical Wealth Females’ Share of the Population Modified Gender Wealth Gap

Key Findings Differences exist among the three countries in the gender wealth gaps for the various asset categories; Females’ share of physical wealth is highest in the poorest quintile, but lowest in the richest quintile; For Ghana and Karnataka, the size of the gender wealth gap is an indication that massive policy interventions are required to considerably bridge the gap. 12

Thank You! 13