Cristina Chiriac, CONAF: “Improving gender equality is expected to lead to a GDP growth of about 12 percent by 2050”

Increasing women’s participation in education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will have a strong positive impact on GDP at EU level, according to a study by the European Institute for Gender Equality.

Cristina Chiriac, President of CONAF, said: “Reducing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education could help reduce the skills gap, increase women’s employment and productivity, and reduce professional segregation. Ultimately, this would foster economic growth through both higher productivity and increased labour market activity. The employment rate in the EU, and implicitly in Romania, will have a substantial leap if women have more equal opportunities in education and, obviously, in the labour market. Such a move would help increase earnings and reduce wage gaps for women. Reducing the gender pay gap can also play an important role in attracting more women to work. ”

Closing gender gaps in STEM education would have a positive impact on employment. The total number of jobs in the EU would increase by 850,000 to 1,200,000 by 2050. These jobs are projected mainly in the long term, as employment rates will only increase after more women studying STEM finish their jobs. education.

The president of CONAF says: “According to studies, improving gender equality would lead to about 10.5 million additional jobs by 2050, which would benefit both women and men. About 70 percent of these jobs would be taken over by women, and long-term employment rates for both women and men would increase to 80 percent by 2050. Although it may seem unrealistic compared to traditional employment policies. Stimulating the labour market, gender equality policies have a strong impact on GDP. Therefore, gender equality is a relevant measure to encourage economic growth. For example, a recent study by DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture showed that improvements in education policies in all Member States would lead to a 2.2 percent increase in European GDP by 2050, a much lower rate than the impact. improving gender equality. On average, improving gender equality is expected to lead to GDP growth of around 12 percent by 2050.”