GDP in many countries could get a boost if women’s health conditions in those regions were better addressed. Senior partner Lucy Pérez and colleagues observe that especially in low-income economies, most of the potential GDP impact is the result of fewer early deaths and fewer health conditions among women. Progress on women’s health not only improves their quality of life but can allow them to more actively participate in the workforce. Every $1 invested in women’s health is projected to yield approximately $3 in economic growth.
Image description:
A set of segmented bar charts shows the GDP impact of reducing health conditions for women, measured across 4 channels and 4 income regions. The bars represent high-, upper-middle-, lower-middle-, and low-income regions. The segmented channels are expanded participation, increased productivity, fewer health conditions, and fewer early deaths.
The first chart shows GDP impact in billions of dollars, with an overall impact of $724 billion for high-income regions, $216 billion for upper-middle-income regions, $70 billion for lower-middle-income regions, and $15 billion for low-income regions, with high-income regions showing the highest improvement in GDP.
The second chart shows GDP impact as a share of the total across the 4 channels. The largest volume is in fewer health conditions in lower-middle- and low-income regions.
End of image description.
To read the report, see “Closing the women’s health gap: A $1 trillion opportunity to improve lives and economies,” January 17, 2024.