[Research Seminar] IFLAME: “The historical gender gap index. A longitudinal and spatial assessment of Sweden 1870-1990” F. PERRIN – Strasbourg University

Speakers: Faustine PERRIN
Strasbourg University

Co-written with Tobias Karlsson (Lund University)
and Joris Kok (International Institute of Social History)

Date and Location – Thursday December 2nd 2021 from 12:00 to 13:30 on Zoom

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ABSTRACT

Our knowledge of the long-run evolution of gender equality is limited. We currently lack quantitative indicators capable of capturing the variations and changes in the individual dimensions of gender equality. This paper seeks to assess the long-run evolution of gender roles and relations in Sweden. To this end, we build a database with quantitative indicators of gender equality. These indicators allow us to construct a Historical Gender Gap Index (HGGI), which is used to describe and analyze the evolution of gender equality in Sweden during a phase characterized by industrialization, urbanization and demographic transition. We find that after a period of stagnation, Sweden from the 1940s onwards made significant progress in closing the gender gap to reach the high level of gender equality that it is now famous for. All counties have made substantial improvements in closing the gap over time, although some counties have been quicker than others. Our investigation reveals the existence of a convergence pattern between counties.