Impact of demographic variables on women’s economic empowerment: An ordered probit model

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to empirically examine the demographic variables that determine women’s economic empowerment. A sample of 500 married women between 21 and 49 years old (M_age = 35.49, SD = 7.66) was conveniently selected from district Multan (Pakistan). Control over economic resources was used as a proxy for women’s economic empowerment. Ordered probit regression was run to assess the demographic determinants (i.e., age, education, paid job, income, and property) of economic empowerment of the least empowered, moderately empowered, and highly empowered women. Paid job, age, income, and property appeared as positive and significant predictors of women’s economic empowerment. Implications of the study were also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Age
• income
• ordered probit model
• paid job
• property
• women’s economic empowerment