Economic Growth Driven By Women

In a very interesting article with a very misguiding title, The Economist states that:

"It used to be said that women must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily that is not so difficult."

For ages and in many countries and cultures, parents have preferred to have sons rather than daugthers. Sons have been seen as a more secure provider than daughters. Now is the time to finally realise what women have always known: "Girls may [...] be a better investment".

The Economist's conclusion is that "[e]conomic growth is driven by women". And this is, according to The Economist, the case in developed as well as developing countries.

"What is clear is that in countries such as Japan, Germany and Italy, which are all troubled by the demographics of shrinking populations, far fewer women work than in America, let alone Sweden. If female labour-force participation in these countries rose to American levels, it would give a helpful boost to these countries' growth rates. Likewise, in developing countries where girls are less likely to go to school than boys, investing in education would deliver huge economic and social returns. Not only will educated women be more productive, but they will also bring up better educated and healthier children. More women in government could also boost economic growth: studies show that women are more likely to spend money on improving health, education, infrastructure and poverty and less likely to waste it on tanks and bombs."

I mostly agree with one exception: No one knows whether women in power are less likely than men to waste money on tanks and bombs.