Gender equality to boost GDP, report says

Better promotion of gender equality in the workplace could result in China's GDP growing by $2.6 trillion in 2025, according to a report, which said research has shown that greater equality benefits both employer development and economic returns for the entire society.

The growth could be mainly achieved by encouraging the greater participation of women in the labor force and encouraging sectors that employ large numbers of women to become more productive, according to the report by McKinsey & Co. The global management consultancy recently revealed its China findings jointly with the British consulate general in Shanghai with the aim of advancing female equality.

"The industries in which many women work, such as textiles and communications, can be encouraged to be more productive so these women can receive higher pay," said Jonathan Woetzel, director and senior partner of McKinsey Global Institute.