Photographs: Mike Segar/Reuters
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...
How women can boost world GDP
Image: Shoppers exit a retail store inside a mall in Mumbai.Photographs: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
India
Increase in GDP by 2020: 27 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 115
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How women can boost world GDP
Image: A view of the Nile river flowing through the Egyptian capital Cairo.Photographs: Aladin Abdel Naby/Reuters
Egypt
Increase in GDP by 2020: 33 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 108
...
How women can boost world GDP
Image: Overview of Buenos Aires 9 de Julio Avenue.Photographs: Enrique Marcarian/Reuters
Argentina
Increase in GDP by 2020: 12 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 35
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How women can boost world GDP
Image: Duomo cathedral in Milan.Photographs: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
Italy
Increase in GDP by 2020: 11 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 33
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How women can boost world GDP
Image: Juscelino Kubitschek bridge in Brasilia.Photographs: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
Brazil
Increase in GDP by 2020: 8 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 46
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How women can boost world GDP
Image: Japan's Mt Fuji, covered with snow, is seen through Shinjuku skyscrapers in Tokyo.Photographs: Kimimasa Mayama/Reuters
Japan
Increase in GDP by 2020: 8 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 43
...
How women can boost world GDP
Image: Tourists stroll along Barcelona's harbour in Barcelona.Photographs: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters
Spain
Increase in GDP by 2020: 6 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 15
...
How women can boost world GDP
Image: Beijing's Central Business District.Photographs: Jason Lee/Reuters
China
Increase in GDP by 2020: 5 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 58
...
How women can boost world GDP
Image: Traffic on the road and the Thames passes the Houses of Parliament in London.Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
The United Kingdom
Increase in GDP by 2020: 5 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 13
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How women can boost world GDP
Image: The Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge is seen from the 90th storey of One World Trade Center in New York.Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
The United States
Increase in GDP by 2020: 5 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 30
...
How women can boost world GDP
Image: The Orsay Museum in Paris.Photographs: Charles Platiau/Reuters
France
Increase in GDP by 2020: 3 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 10
...
How women can boost world GDP
Image: People are reflected in a shop window as they walk in Potsdamer Street in Berlin.Photographs: Thomas Peter/Reuters
Germany
Increase in GDP by 2020: 3 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 8
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How women can boost world GDP
Image: Pedestrians walk down the main shopping street in Stockholm's Gamla Stan or Old Town district.Photographs: Bob Strong/Reuters
Sweden
Increase in GDP by 2020: 2 per cent (if male-female employment rates match)
Global rank: 3
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