Effects of male and female education on economic growth: Some evidence from Asia

•We estimate growth effects of gender disaggregated and level-specific enrolment ratios in a panel of Asian economies.•We use the extreme bounds analysis (EBA) to estimate our model.•Using both endogenous and exogenous growth model, we find differential growth effects based on gender.•The growth effect varies according to which model used.

We use extreme bounds analysis (EBA) to examine the comparative growth effects of gender disaggregated and level-specific enrolment ratios in a panel of Asian economies. To test our hypotheses, we employ both endogenous and exogenous growth frameworks. The externality effects of education are positive and robust for both males and females and are relatively large and significant at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The results are suggestive of a gender productivity gap. Asian economies can grow faster by investing more in female education.