“ECONOMIC GROWTH, FEMALE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION ANDINTERACTING ROLE OF EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING-8 COUNTRIES: A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY PERSPECTIVE”

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to determine that how the level of education drives the relationship between economic growth and female labour force participation (FLFP) in developing-8 (D-8) countries (Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey).To achieve this objective, the gross enrolment at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels are incorporated as interaction with economic growth. The empirical estimation carried through the panel ARDL (Pooled Mean Group) for the short and long-run analysis from 1980 -2018.The results revealed that economic growth is positively associated with FLFP. This indicates that economic growth augments prospects for FLFPR on the one hand, it reassures women to obtain anticipated skills engendered by new development on the other hand. Resultantly women choose to switch from the labor market to substitute education at secondary or primary. The tertiary level of education enables women to participate more in the labor market even with the increased demand for skills. This is evident by the findings from the interaction effect of different levels of enrolment. Therefore, having observed economic growth as a crucial factor, and education asa moderator several policy guidelines are formulated to enhance the status of female labor in developing-8 countries. This can be done by adopting the proper policy through the provision of basic skills, on the job training, and subsidized higher education, this would enable the sustainable development of society.