Is marriage killing women's careers? World Bank report shows many South Asians pay 'marriage penalty'
World Bank report has highlighted the persistent gender disparity in employment across South Asia, with women experiencing a significant decline in labor force participation post-marriage, often referred to as a "marriage penalty."
In India, female employment rates drop by 12 percentage points after marriage, about one-third of the pre-marital employment level, even in the absence of children. Meanwhile, men gain a 13-percentage-point employment premium upon marriage, although this advantage gradually erodes after five years.
“This marriage penalty among women without children persists up to five years after the wedding in India and Maldives,” the report states, attributing the trend to deep-rooted social norms. In addition to the marriage penalty, women also face a “child penalty,” as caregiving responsibilities often push them out of the workforce.
The report sheds light on South Asia’s female labor force participation rate, which stood at just 32% in 2023, significantly lower than the 77% rate for men. Most countries in the region, except Bhutan, are in the bottom quartile of the World Bank's global sample for female workforce participation.
Education’s Role in Reducing the Gender Gap
The study emphasizes that higher education for both men and women can mitigate the marriage penalty. “Women with more than secondary schooling or those marrying men with similar educational backgrounds are less likely to face the marriage penalty,” the report notes.
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