Off the balance sheet: the impact of the economic crisis on girls and young women

This report by Plan and ODI examines the continuing and deepening impact of the economic crisis on girls and young women worldwide.

Long standing economic trends, entrenched gender inequality and austerity budgets have all left girls and their families bearing the brunt of fewer resources and reduced access to services.

Key points

Key findings from the report include:

• Girls drop out of school more – with a 29% decrease in primary school completion for girls versus 22% for boys.
• Family poverty hits girls hardest - a 1% fall in GDP increases infant mortality by 7.4 deaths per 1,000 births for girls versus 1.5 for boys.
• Health cuts leave adolescent girls at greater risk during pregnancy with 14-19 year olds most at risk of death in pregnancy in many countries.