Urbanization, Gender and Economic Growth in the Waemu Zone: Evidence from Pooled Mean Group Estimation

Abstract

This study empirically analyses the influence of urbanization and the participation of men and women in the labour force on economic growth in the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Using data from the World Bank (2017) on the member States between 1990 and 2016, we show from Pesaran’s PMG estimator, Shin and Smith (1999) that in the short term, youth and women are very useful for economic growth. In the long term, urbanization, industrial added value and the elderly make a positive contribution to economic growth. The study urges governments to create better living conditions by ensuring adequate income levels and care, i.e., public policies should aim to increase employment, establish or improve social protection, social integration, health and the fight against discrimination.