On the undesirable repercussions of gender norms in an endogenous growth model

Abstract Sustainable growth has emerged as a critical policy challenge worldwide. We investigate the influence of conventional gender norms on fertility and economic growth to explain the phenomena recently observed across high‐income countries. To this end, we construct an overlapping generations model with endogenous fertility and labor supply, incorporating gender norms and R&D activities. We demonstrate that conventional gender norms can impede fertility and economic growth. Specifically, when gender norms are sufficiently conservative, income growth stagnates and population erosion eventually occurs. Our results underscore the need to address and correct gender norms to achieve sustainable growth and improve welfare.