[June 17, 2025] A World Bank report highlights that outdated laws and barriers result in less than half of working-age women in the Pacific Islands being employed. Bridging the gender gap could boost the region’s GDP by 22% and enhance economic growth, particularly in sectors like energy, where women hold less than 19% of jobs.

Outdated laws and social norms are stifling employment opportunities for women in the Pacific Islands, according to a new World Bank report. It reveals that less than half of the region’s working-age women are employed, consequently hampering economic growth.

The report predicts a slowdown in regional growth to 2.6% by 2025, falling from 5.5% in 2023. However, boosting female participation to equal men’s could elevate the GDP by 22%, the report indicates, significantly impacting household incomes and private sector growth.

While facing skilled labor shortages, the energy sector is particularly affected by gender disparities, with women occupying less than 19% of jobs across 12 Pacific countries. The World Bank urges the removal of outdated restrictions and calls for gender targets to rectify this imbalance.

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https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/3460246-bridging-the-gender-gap-unlocking-the-economic-potential-of-pacific-women