The Best ROI - Investing In Girl Child’s Education

Times change, but the one thing that never changes is the value of education. Especially the impact of girls’ education on the society and the economy of a nation can certainly not be negated. Education is not just one’s fundamental right but also the most powerful catalyst for social and economic transformation, especially when it comes to a developing nation. 

When we talk about investing in education, it is absolutely important to understand the momentous impact of education on economic growth – education of not only the boys, but also the girls. It is often said and believed that when a girl is educated, we are indirectly educating a whole family – and in turn, the whole community. Girls’ education has the power to drive economic growth, alleviate poverty, improve health outcomes, nurture innovation, and create a more inclusive and fairer society. 

In this post, we will throw some light on the remarkable economic benefits of investing in girls’ education. Organizations like Educate Girls USA are making a difference and contributing to the cause by providing infrastructure and opportunities for underprivileged girls to access quality education.

Here are a few ways in which educating girls can transform an economy – 

Better Workforce Participation and Economic Productivity:

Investing in a girl child’s education leads to increased rates of workforce participation and thus an improved collective economic productivity. According to a study by the World Bank, an additional year of primary education for girls may lead to an average increase in their individual remuneration rate by 10–20%. Furthermore, an extra year of secondary school education results in a sizeable 25% increase in their wage rate. In addition, the World Bank highlights that a substantial portion of a mother’s incomes, almost 90%, is devoted to supporting her family, thereby playing a central role in bringing households out of poverty and alleviating hunger. 

Furthermore, educating girls leads to better employment opportunities for them, enabling them to contribute to the labor market and drive the economic growth of a nation. This increased participation further supports the economy and boosts a nation’s GDP.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

One of the most noteworthy economic impacts of education of girls is that it fosters entrepreneurship and drives innovation. Educated girls master major life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and people management, which are essential for entrepreneurship. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor highlights that countries with higher rates of female entrepreneurship have better economic growth. By encouraging girls to pursue higher education and giving them wings to catch their dreams, communities can unleash their potential as innovators and job creators, contributing to economic development.

Decline of Poverty and Economic Empowerment

Girls’ education is a powerful tool in battling poverty and accomplishing economic empowerment. Decades of research have provided substantial evidence that the education of girls and women yields numerous positive outcomes. These include accelerated poverty reduction, improved maternal health, decreased child mortality, enhanced HIV prevention, and reduced instances of violence. Additionally, each extra year a girl invests in her education can potentially increase her future earnings by as much as 20 percent. There are also studies which indicate that just one year of primary education has the ability to raise women’s wages in their later years by 10 percent to 20 percent and the secondary education can enhance the income by as much as 25%. 

Better Health Outcomes and Well-being

The education of girls has a positive effect on the overall health outcomes in a community. Through literacy and knowledge, mothers are better prepared to care for their own health and that of their families, which would in turn lead to positive outcomes in maternal and child health. Education helps a woman take well-informed and smart decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, and nourishment. Well-educated girls also tend to utilize health services more comprehensively.

If all girls in low and middle-income nations complete their primary schooling, it would result in a 15 percent drop in child mortality in those under the age of five. The positive effect becomes even more pronounced when girls complete their upper secondary education also. This is backed by data by UNESCO, which says that this leads to a significant 49 percent drop in child mortality for children under the age of five. Education also proves to be effective in fighting other issues like child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS.

Gender Equality and Sustainable Development

The value of girls’ education in economic development can never be negated, as investing in girls’ education is a catalyst for achieving gender equality and achieving a major set of sustainable development goals. Education empowers girls to challenge traditional gender norms, participate in decision-making processes, and stand up for their rights. The UN Chronicle once published a document that said that out of nearly 775 million illiterate people in the world, two-thirds are comprised of women. Imagine if all these girls are able to acquire education and opportunities, how beautifully the world will achieve gender equality and show the development it has been waiting for. 

We can very confidently say that the impact of education on economic growth of a country is huge, and by investing in girls’ education we are taking a strategic and impactful move to foster economic growth and create a more prosperous society. By supporting organizations like Educate Girls USA, you can be a part of the movement – by contributing towards providing infrastructure and opportunities for underprivileged girls, enabling them to access quality education and fulfill their potential. Educating girls not only empowers individuals but also benefits communities, economies, and nations as a whole. 

Let us recognize the power of investing in girls’ education as a pathway to a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Click here to donate for girl child  education and be a part of the greater good!