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Gender Disparities in Human Capital Investment and Economic Development in Nigeria

Onyinyechi Nweke Ph.D

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of gender disparities in human capital investment on economic development in Nigeria for the period 2005–2017. Investments in human capital, particularly in education and healthcare, are essential for boosting productivity and supporting sustainable economic growth. However, persistent gender inequalities in access to these resources continue to limit Nigeria’s development potential. Using annual time-series data obtained from the World Development Indicators, United Nations Development Programme, and World Health Organization, the study employs an Auto Regressive Distributed Lag bounds testing approach to examine both short-run and long-run dynamics. Economic development is measured by GDP per capita, while gender disparities in health and educational investments serve as the primary explanatory variables. The results indicate a long-run equilibrium relationship between gender inequality in human capital and economic development in Nigeria. In particular, gender disparities in education and health have significant negative effects on GDP per capita in the long term, suggesting that widening gender gaps reduce labor productivity and overall economic performance. Short-run findings also show that increases in gender inequality immediately hinder economic growth, though the effects are less pronounced than in the long run. The error correction term demonstrates a relatively fast adjustment toward long-run equilibrium, emphasizing the importance of consistent gender-inclusive policies. The study concludes that gender inequality in human capital investment is a major economic constraint rather than merely a social issue. It therefore recommends targeted policies to close gender gaps in education and health as a strategic pathway to achieving inclusive and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

Keywords

Gender disparities; Human capital investment; Education; Health; and Economic development

References

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