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Gender Differentials in Health: A Differences-in-Decompositions Estimate

Author

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  • Kehinde O. Omotoso

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Steven F. Koch

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa)

Abstract

We analyse changes in gendered health differentials between 2005 and 2014, using data from population-weighted General Household Surveys (GHS) in South Africa. We also assess the contribution of observed characteristics in explaining those differentials. We find that the gender gap in health narrowed by approximately 2% between 2005 and 2014, and the narrowing of that gap can be mainly attributed to changes in educational attainment and social grant receipt. Specifically, there has been a relative increase in receipt of formal education by women, which explains about 1.11% of the gap reduction, while the relative increase in social grant receipt by women explains approximately 28% of the reduction. Thus, improvements in gender equality, as it relates to health, are furthered by policies addressing inequality in educational attainment and social protection. However, about 76% of the reduction is explained by changes in returns to various male/female attributes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kehinde O. Omotoso & Steven F. Koch, 2017. "Gender Differentials in Health: A Differences-in-Decompositions Estimate," Working Papers 201717, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:201717
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