Measuring the Gender Asset Gap in Ghana

Abstract

1. Gender equality matters not only for growth, but also for the well-being of women, children and men. Data abounds on gender gaps in employment, education, health and politics. However, very little data exists on the ownership of assets by women and men because most large-scale household surveys do not collect this. Based on data collected during the Ghana Household Asset Survey conducted in 2010, estimates are provided on the gender asset and wealth gaps for a wide array of assets. Most assets in Ghana, with the exception of businesses and jewellery, are owned by men. The incidence of joint ownership of assets is observed to be low. About 30% of the gross physical wealth of households in Ghana is owned by females. The study also identified marital and inheritance regimes as critical factors explaining women’s ownership of assets.