Infrastructure and unemployment: gender-differentiated effects in UEMOA

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Résumé

Abstract
African countries are lagging in terms of infrastructure, all types combined. In addition, on the continent, the problem of employability continues to be acute, often more pronounced according to gender or sex, requiring special attention. The objective of this research is to analyze the effect of a set of infrastructures on unemployment by gender in the WAEMU area. The FGLS PCSE methods were used to determine the effect of the infrastructures. Estimates show that infrastructure has a non-homogeneous effect on unemployment rates. Transport and electricity infrastructure contribute to an increase in overall unemployment, both male and female. On the other hand, only ICT stands out by significantly reducing unemployment rates. As for the WSS water and sanitation infrastructure, it does not affect unemployment rates. These results indicate that the effects of infrastructure on unemployment rates are not different by gender. These effects show that the infrastructure situation in terms of availability, quality, and accessibility persists in the WAEMU countries. In this dynamic, investments in quality, accessible infrastructure directed towards the creation of decent jobs for all social strata, regardless of gender, are important.

Mots-clés

UEMOA