Does Financial Development Induce Total Factor Productivity Growth in an Emerging Economy? The Role of Gender Human Capital

ABSTRACT Drawing from neoclassical growth theories, this study explores the interplay between financial development, gender‐specific human capital, and total factor productivity (TFP) growth in India, addressing a gap in prior literature by examining their interactive effects on emerging economies' productivity trajectories. Employing the ARDL Bound test model, we estimate the productivity growth equation using annual data from 1980 to 2019. Variables such as government spending on education and foreign direct investment serve as crucial control variables in the TFP growth framework. Our findings reveal nuanced dynamics: while financial development enhances productivity growth in the absence of gender‐specific human capital considerations, its impact varies significantly with the inclusion of male and female education levels. Notably, financial development positively influences productivity growth when male education levels are high. Surprisingly, financial development hampers productivity growth when female education level is high. These insights underscore the disproportionate influence of male education on productivity growth vis‐à‐vis female education in India. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the differential impacts of financial development on India's productivity growth in the presence of gender‐specific human capital. This analysis emphasizes the role of gender dynamics in educational attainment for policymakers aiming to leverage financial development as a catalyst for productivity growth. In addition, the policymakers in India are urged not to downplay the significance of male education in fostering financial development and augmenting productivity growth. Furthermore, the policymakers are advised to scrutinize the adverse repercussions of financial development on productivity growth within the context of female education at higher levels.