How women can boost world GDP

Nearly one billion women around the world could enter the global economy during the coming decade. They are poised to play a significant role in countries around the world.

According to a report by Booz & Company, a consultancy, if female employment rates matched those of men, GDP would increase by five per cent in America and nine per cent in Japan by 2020, says The Economist.

The impact would be even larger for developing countries, home to most of the world's women who lack adequate education and support (social and political), it says.

Let's take a look at some selected countries, including India, and see what the impact would be on GDP if female employment rates matched those of men.

Source: The Economist

Click NEXT to see the impact on India...

India

Increase in GDP by 2020: 27 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 115

...

Egypt

Increase in GDP by 2020: 33 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 108

...

Argentina

Increase in GDP by 2020: 12 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 35

...

Italy

Increase in GDP by 2020: 11 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 33

...

Brazil

Increase in GDP by 2020: 8 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 46

...

Japan

Increase in GDP by 2020: 8 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 43

...

Spain

Increase in GDP by 2020: 6 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 15

...

China

Increase in GDP by 2020: 5 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 58

...

The United Kingdom

Increase in GDP by 2020: 5 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 13

...

The United States

Increase in GDP by 2020: 5 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 30

...

France

Increase in GDP by 2020: 3 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 10

...

Germany

Increase in GDP by 2020: 3 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 8

...

Sweden

Increase in GDP by 2020: 2 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)

Global rank: 3