The Effects of Financial Innovations on Female Employment

Abstract

Previous research provides evidence that the adoption of digital financial technologies drives up financial inclusion. However, the implications of this trend for job markets are still unknown. In this thesis, I use data from 98 countries between 2013 and 2019 from the Bank for International Settlements to investigate whether the emergence and adoption of digital financial technologies affect female labor force participation. Multivariate regression analyses indicate that financial technology (fintech) credit markets’ growth positively affects female employment outcomes. A series of robustness checks confirm these findings. Further studies suggest that youth female employment, youth aggregate employment, and general employment are also positively related to financial innovations, and that fintech credit is the only alternative credit type presenting such effects.