A recent study by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) in Vilnius has shown the economic benefits of gender equality in the European Union.
The Luxembourg Minister for Equal Opportunities, Lydia Mutsch, has welcomed the recent study by the EIGE on the impact of equality between women and men on economic growth, the results of which seem to confirm the importance of equal opportunities policies in the Grand Duchy in recent years.
Likewise, the results of the study show that equality between men and women can be beneficial for the economy as well as the evolution of society. Improved efforts for gender equality in the EU would therefore lead to the creation of more jobs, increased GDP per capita, and a better adapted society in light of the challenges of an ageing population.
The director of EIGE, Virginija Langbakk, stated that: “Our study proves that gender equality is good for the economy and it cannot be disregarded if the EU wants to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.”
The evidence confirms that improvements to gender equality would generate up to 10.5 million additional jobs by 2050 and the EU employment rate would reach almost 80%. EU Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita would also be positively affected and could increase up to nearly 10% by 2050.
The level of economic benefits varies considerably across Member States, with some individual countries seeing around a 4% GDP increase and others exceeding 10%.
Photo by MEGA. From left to right: Virginija Langbakk, director of EIGE; Lydia Mutsch, Minister for Equal Opportunities
