Secular Values, Economic Development, and Gender Inequality in a Global Context

Abstract This article investigates how cultural and material factors can explain disparities observed in different forms of gender inequality between within nations. Using data from multiple sources, the author constructs a panel dataset that includes 150 country-year observations nested 70 countries, covering 23 years 1991 to 2013. Through estimating hybrid models, this discovers more secular countries have lower maternal mortality ratios, higher female labor force participation rates, greater shares parliamentary seats held by women, rates women with completed secondary education, smaller total population who adhere inequitable attitudes. Moreover, longitudinal perspective, secularization is only predictor declined ratios increased representation country. Interactive models suggest further high-income nations increase ratios. Furthermore, secularization’s equalizing effect on moderates as become affluent.