Publication: Serbia - Country Gender Assessment
Loading...
Date
2024-07-18
ISSN
Published
2024-07-18
Editor(s)
Abstract
Promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s involvement in the economy are crucial for Serbia’s growth trajectory. It’s vital to actively engage, cultivate, and fully utilize the diverse skills and potential of the population, especially those currently inactive in the workforce, to reduce poverty and foster shared prosperity. Over the past decade, Serbia has made strides in gender equality, evident in reduced educational disparities, improved life expectancy for women, increased political engagement among women, and lower birth rates. However, significant gaps persist in areas such as employment, business ownership, wage disparities, gender-segregated jobs, unpaid domestic work, and instances of gender-based violence. This Country Gender Assessment provides empirical evidence and analyzes gender equality in Serbia. Methodologically, the report adopts the Gender Assessment framework proposed by the World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development (WDR 2012). Through this framework, the report examines recent progress and ongoing challenges across three critical dimensions: Endowments, Economic Opportunities, and Voice and Agency. Extensive research was conducted, drawing from various data sources to assess indicators such as health, education, labor market dynamics, and gender-based violence, among others. The structure of the report is as follows. Section 2 delves into the legal and institutional framework. Section 3 assesses gender equality from the perspective of human endowments. Section 4 discusses progress and challenges in economic opportunities. Section 5 focuses on issues related to voice and agency.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“World Bank; The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 2024. Serbia - Country Gender Assessment. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/41901 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
Associated URLs
Associated content
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
Publication Uzbekistan - Country Gender Assessment 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-06-05)Addressing gender gaps is critical to the success of Uzbekistan’s inclusive transformation. Uzbekistan’s national income would be about 29 percent higher if women were to participate in equal measure to men. If working women were simply to catch up to the wages earned by men, the increased income would pull more than 700,000 people out of poverty. What prevents Uzbekistan from realizing such massive potential This Country Gender Assessment identifies strengths and examines the remaining barriers to greater equality within Uzbekistan’s ongoing social and economic transformation. It consolidates existing analytical work by the government, the World Bank, development partners, academia, and others. Ultimately, it proposes a set of high-priority goals essential to closing the gap between Uzbekistan’s current performance and its potential for more inclusive prosperity. The enduring challenge of gender inequality holds Uzbekistan back from its development potential. Comparing to global benchmarks identifies many of the strengths and weaknesses in Uzbekistan’s recent performance with regards to gender equality. In the 2022 global Gender Development Index, which measures gaps in human development achievements across health, knowledge, and living standards, Uzbekistan is ranked 106 out of 189 countries. Since monitoring began, life expectancy is the only component of the index for which women have ranked higher than men. Legal impediments to equality measured by the Women, Business, and the Law (WBL) index in 2023 revealed that Uzbekistan, with a score of just 70.6, ranked at the bottom of the list of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) countries, especially with respect to legislation addressing gender-based violence (GBV), equality in the workplace, equal pay, parenthood, and pensions. It should be noted however that recent legislation promises to raise the country’s future performance on the WBL measure in 2024, especially with respect to GBV and workplace protections introduced in the country’s new labor code. Despite challenges, Uzbekistan performs relatively well in several critical dimensions, above all with respect to equal access to basic health and education services, as is highlighted in the country’s strong performance in the global Gender Inequality Index. Collectively, these comparisons suggest that while Uzbekistan has a strong tradition investing in human capital for both men and women, an urgent agenda to foster a more inclusive society remains incomplete. But success promises to generate a virtuous circle of gender equity and economic growth.Publication Bosnia and Herzegovina - Country Gender Assessment(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-18)Fostering gender equality and enabling women’s economic participation is critical for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s development trajectory. Actively engaging, nurturing, and optimizing the diverse talents and capabilities of the population, especially of inactive segments, is paramount to sustained progress in poverty reduction and shared prosperity. Over the past decade, Bosnia, and Herzegovina (BiH) has made strides in gender equality, including narrowing gender gaps in education, increasing female life expectancy and female political participation, and reducing fertility rates. However, significant disparities persist in the labor market, entrepreneurship, earnings, occupational segregation, unpaid labor, and violence against women. This Country Gender Assessment provides empirical evidence and analyzes gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methodologically, the report adopts the Gender Assessment framework proposed by the World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development (WDR 2012). Through this lens, the report scrutinizes recent progress and lingering challenges across three critical dimensions: Endowments, Economic opportunities, and Voice and Agency. Extensive research was conducted drawing from various data sources to gauge indicators such as health, education, labor market dynamics, and gender-based violence, among others. The structure of the report is as follows. Section 2 delves into the legal and institutional framework. Section 3 assesses gender equality from the perspective of human endowments. Section 4 discusses progress and challenges in economic opportunities. Section 5 focuses on issues related to voice and agency.Publication Kosovo - Country Gender Assessment(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-18)Fostering gender equality and enabling women’s economic participation is critical for Kosovo’s development trajectory. Actively engaging, nurturing, and optimizing the diverse talents and capabilities of the population, especially of inactive segments is paramount to sustained progress in poverty reduction and shared prosperity. In the last decades, Kosovo has seen some progress in gender equality, including reduced gender gaps in education, increased female life expectancy, and a slight uptick in political participation. However, disparities persist in various areas, including the labor market, entrepreneurship, earnings, occupational segregation, unpaid labor, and violence against women. This Country Gender Assessment provides empirical evidence and analyzes gender equality in Kosovo. Methodologically, the report adopts the Gender Assessment framework proposed by the World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development (WDR 2012). Through this lens, the report scrutinizes recent progress and lingering challenges across three critical dimensions: Endowments, Economic opportunities, and Voice and Agency. Extensive research was conducted drawing from various data sources to gauge indicators such as health, education, labor market dynamics, and gender-based violence, among others. The structure of the report is as follows. Section 2 delves into the legal and institutional framework. Section 3 assesses gender equality from the perspective of human endowments. Section 4 discusses progress and challenges in economic opportunities. Section 5 focuses on issues related to voice and agency.Publication Montenegro - Country Gender Assessment(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-18)Montenegro has made significant strides in promoting gender equality since gaining independence. Improving women’s status is crucial for overall societal development, and Montenegro has seen progress in various sectors, including education, health, and mortality rates. However, disparities persist in the labor market, entrepreneurship, earnings, and unpaid labor. This Country Gender Assessment analyzes gender equality in Montenegro using the framework proposed by the World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development (WDR 2012). The report examines recent progress and challenges across three dimensions: Endowments, Economic Opportunities, and Voice and Agency, drawing on extensive research and data from sources such as health, education, labor market dynamics, and gender-based violence. The structure of the report is as follows. Section 2 delves into the legal and institutional framework. Section 3 assesses gender equality from the perspective of human endowments. Section 4 discusses progress and challenges in economic opportunities. Section 5 focuses on issues related to voice and agency.Publication Albania - Country Gender Assessment(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-18)Positioned as the linchpin in Albania’s journey towards a higher income economy and its aspirations for EU accession, the pivotal role of human capital cannot be overstated. However, the country faces challenges stemming from declining human capital due to factors such as migration, economic inactivity, including of women, and the underutilization of existing talent pools. Enabling women’s economic participation is critical for Albania’s trajectory to a high-income country. Actively engaging, nurturing, and optimizing the diverse talents and capabilities of the population, especially of inactive segments is paramount to underpinning this growth trajectory. Gender and social inclusion lie at the heart of Albania’s development path and thus demand high-level attention and commitment. This Country Gender Assessment provides empirical evidence and analyzes gender equality in Albania. Methodologically, the report adopts the Gender Assessment framework proposed by the World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development (WDR 2012). Through this lens, the report scrutinizes recent progress and lingering challenges across three critical dimensions: Endowments, Economic opportunities, and Voice and Agency. Extensive research was conducted drawing from various data sources to gauge indicators such as health, education, labor market dynamics, and gender-based violence, among others. The structure of the report is as follows. Section 2 delves into the legal and institutional framework. Section 3 assesses gender equality from the perspective of human endowments. Section 4 discusses progress and challenges in economic opportunities. Section 5 focuses on issues related to voice and agency.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
Publication Timor-Leste Economic Report(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-02-12)Timor-Leste faces a defining moment in its economic journey. As the country seeks to transition from petroleum dependency to a more diverse and resilient economy, the stakes cannot be higher. The Petroleum Fund, a lifeline that has sustained much of the national budget, risks depletion by 2035, based on recent Ministry of Finance estimates, unless there are urgent reforms. Ambitious national goals - such as upcoming ASEAN membership - reflect the country’s aspirations to integrate globally and broaden its growth horizons. Yet, these opportunities are weighed down by significant fiscal challenges. More specifically, an expanding national budget that raises concerns about fiscal sustainability and the efficiency of public spending. The question is clear: how can Timor-Leste spend better to fuel sustainable growth while preserving fiscal stabilityPublication Pathways to Prosperity for Adolescent Girls in Africa(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-10)Africa stands at a crossroads, with its future prosperity hinging on the policy and investment decisions it makes today. The continent has an opportunity to shape the trajectories of generations to come by investing in the success of a pivotal population: its adolescent girls. With over 145 million adolescent girls calling Africa home, the potential for transformative change is immense. Yet challenges persist: from high rates of child marriage to limited educational opportunities. Over half of African girls ages 15 to 19 are out of school or married or have children. How can African countries overcome these challenges to ensure that adolescent girls enter adulthood empowered to thrive? Pathways to Prosperity for Adolescent Girls in Africa offers a groundbreaking road map for change. This landmark report: Outlines concrete, actionable policy recommendations; Provides a comprehensive review of evidence-based interventions; Presents a data-driven categorization of African countries to guide investments in adolescent girls; and Introduces an innovative framework for understanding and measuring adolescent girls’ empowerment. Drawing on extensive research and consultations with adolescent girls, policy makers, and practitioners, this report reveals that investing in adolescent girls can yield a tenfold return in economic impact. It outlines six key areas for targeted action: building human capital, enhancing economic success, focusing on the most vulnerable girls, adopting a holistic approach, addressing data and evidence gaps, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders. Whether you are a policy maker, researcher, development practitioner, or advocate, this report will equip you with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change. Discover how empowering adolescent girls can transform individual lives and African economies. Join the movement to secure a brighter future for Africa’s adolescent girls and nations alike. The time for action is now.Publication Conflict in Somalia : Drivers and Dynamics(Washington, DC, 2005-01)Somalia's history of conflict reveals an intriguing paradox--namely, many of the factors that drive armed conflict have also played a role in managing, ending, or preventing war. For instance, clannism and clan cleavages are a source of conflict--used to divide Somalis, fuel endemic clashes over resources and power, used to mobilize militia, and make broad-based reconciliation very difficult to achieve. Most of Somalia's armed clashes since 1991 have been fought in the name of clan, often as a result of political leaders manipulating clannism for their own purposes. Yet traditional clan elders are a primary source of conflict mediation, clan-based customary law serves as the basis for negotiated settlements, and clan-based blood-payment groups serve as a deterrent to armed violence. Likewise, the central state is conventionally viewed as a potential source of rule of law and peaceful allocation of resources, but, at times in Somalia's past, it was a source of violence and predation. Economic interests, too, have had an ambiguous relationship with conflict in Somalia. In some places, war economies have emerged that perpetuate violence and lawlessness, while in other instances business interests have been a driving force for peace, stability, and rule of law. Understanding under what circumstances these and other variables serve as escalators or de-escalators of violence-or both-is the subtle challenge conflict analysis faces in the Somali context. To prepare the ground for providing effective and sensitive reconstruction and development assistance to Somalia that contributes to conflict de-escalation, this analysis examines the key conflict factors at play in the three main regions of the country and recommends avoiding fueling clan-group competition, encouraging and supporting cross-clan or clan-neutral activities and partners, helping to bridge groups, and understanding the role of religion. A number of pertinent recommendations are also made towards fostering sensitive economic development and nonpartisan governance.Publication Western Balkans 6 Country Climate and Development Report(Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2024-07-16)This Regional Western Balkans Countries Climate and Development Report (CCDR) stands out in several ways. In a region that often lacks cohesive regional alliances, this report emphasizes how the challenges faced across countries are often common and interconnected, and, importantly, that climate action requires coordination on multiple fronts. Simultaneously, it illustrates the differences across countries, places, and people that require targeted strategies and interventions. This report demonstrates how shocks and stressors re intensifying and how investments in adaptation could bring significant benefits in the form of avoided losses, accelerated economic potential, and amplified social and economic spillovers. Given the region’s high emission and energy intensity and the limitations of its current fossil fuel-based development model, the report articulates a path to greener and more resilient growth, a path that is more consistent with the aspiration of accession to the EU. The report finds that the net zero transition can be undertaken without compromising the economic potential of the Western Balkans and that it could lead to higher growth than under the Reference Scenario (RS) with appropriate structural reforms.Publication Business Ready 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-03)Business Ready (B-READY) is a new World Bank Group corporate flagship report that evaluates the business and investment climate worldwide. It replaces and improves upon the Doing Business project. B-READY provides a comprehensive data set and description of the factors that strengthen the private sector, not only by advancing the interests of individual firms but also by elevating the interests of workers, consumers, potential new enterprises, and the natural environment. This 2024 report introduces a new analytical framework that benchmarks economies based on three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency. The analysis centers on 10 topics essential for private sector development that correspond to various stages of the life cycle of a firm. The report also offers insights into three cross-cutting themes that are relevant for modern economies: digital adoption, environmental sustainability, and gender. B-READY draws on a robust data collection process that includes specially tailored expert questionnaires and firm-level surveys. The 2024 report, which covers 50 economies, serves as the first in a series that will expand in geographical coverage and refine its methodology over time, supporting reform advocacy, policy guidance, and further analysis and research.