Gender Wage Inequality and Economic Growth: Is there Really a Puzzle?

Seguino (2000) shows that gender wage discrimination in export-oriented semi-industrialized countries might be fostering investment and growth in general. While the original analysis does not have internationally comparable wage discrimination data, we replicate the analysis using data from a meta-study on gender wage discrimination and do not find any evidence that more discrimination might further economic growth - on the contrary: if anything the impact of gender inequality is negative for growth. Standing up for more gender equality - also in terms of wages - is good for equity considerations and at least not negative for growth.