Gender Income Gap Constrains the Consumer Market in Africa and the Middle East

Middle East and African women’s average annual disposable income was 67.4% less than men in 2012 – the largest gender income gap in the world. Within the region, Israel has the smallest income gap and Egypt the largest. The region’s large income gap is mainly due to low female labour force participation, despite a higher level of educational attainment by women. This can restrict the consumer market potential, because women often make the majority of purchasing decisions in the household.