Gender, youth, and growth: Unpacking the productivity–transformation nexus in Rwanda

Global Food and Nutrition Security

This economywide (CGE) modelling study uses Rwanda as a case to examine how productivity gains among women and youth drive growth and structural transformation. Economywide or youth-focused productivity gains shift growth toward industry and services with minimal agricultural growth, while gains in women's labour productivity generate more balanced cross-sector growth and substantially raise women's industrial participation. Youth productivity gains trigger stronger structural shifts but partially displace adult workers; labour income rises broadly, with women and youth benefiting most under targeted scenarios. It recommends policy design to balance aggregate growth with inclusive outcomes for women, youth and adults.

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Gender, youth, and growth: Unpacking the productivity–transformation nexus in R…

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Authors	Aragie, Emerta A. Escalante, Luis Enrique Thurlow, James Warner, James Niyonsingiza, Josue
Geographic coverage	Rwanda
Originally published	09 Jun 2026
Related organisation(s)	CGIAR - Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers
Knowledge service \| Metadata	Global Food and Nutrition Security \| Sustainable Food Systems Gender Equality and Food systems \| Farm productivity Gender policy Pro-poor growth
Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET)	economic growth gender equality

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