Economic freedom and gender health gap in the E.U.

This paper investigates the relationship between economic freedom and the gender health gap across European Union member states. Drawing on data from the European Institute for Gender Equality and the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom Index, the analysis explores how liberal economic policies influence health disparities between men and women. While liberal reforms are often promoted for enhancing overall economic efficiency, their impact on gendered health outcomes is nuanced. The findings suggest that certain aspects of economic freedom, such as regulatory and trade policies, can either reduce or exacerbate gender health inequalities, depending on the domain and specific indicator considered. Notably, labour market deregulation often disadvantages women, while increased judicial independence and reduced trade barriers show mixed effects. The paper employs panel data econometrics with instrumental variables to address potential endogeneity, revealing complex, often non-linear relationships between economic policy and health inequality. These insights imply that liberal reforms are not gender-neutral and may require compensatory social policies to ensure equitable health outcomes. The study contributes to an underexplored area by highlighting the importance of considering gender equity in the design and evaluation of economic policy, particularly in health-related domains.