Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment

What does this indicator tell us?

This is an indicator of gender equality and is related to SDG 4: "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".

How is it defined?

The gender parity index in primary education is the ratio of the number of female students enrolled at the primary level of education to the number of male students. To standardize the effects of the population structure regarding the appropriate age groups, the gross enrolment ratio for each level of education is used.

What are the implications?

Low status restricts women's opportunities and freedom, giving them less interaction with others and fewer opportunities for independent behaviour, restricting the transmission of new knowledge, and damaging their self-esteem and self-expression. It is a particularly important determinant of two resources for care: mothers' physical and mental health, and their autonomy and control over household resources. Low status restricts women's capacity to act in their own and their children's best interests. There is a demonstrated association between women's status and malnutrition in children.

Source of data

DataBank: World development indicators [website]. World Bank; 2018 (http://databank.worldbank.org/data/home.aspx).

Further reading

Challenges for the 21st century: a gender perspective on nutrition through the life cycle. Geneva: United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition; 1998 (https://www.unscn.org/web/archives_resources/files/Policy_paper_No_17.pdf).