The math behind:
Overview
A century of gender parity beginning in 1925 fundamentally reshaped economic and social outcomes. With women holding equal power in policy, markets, and science, growth rates accelerated, funding allocations shifted, and systemic barriers dissolved decades earlier than in our reality. This robust model shows how compounded effects—across wage dynamics, governance, innovation, and cultural change—translate into earlier closures of equity gaps, faster adoption of sustainable practices, and stronger resilience against inequality reopening. These dynamics demonstrate that equality is not only morally just but mathematically transformative for economic and societal progress.
Segregation and unexplained factors explain 38% of the remaining gender pay gap.
Every 1% faster GDP growth is linked to about a 0.1 percentage point faster closing of the wage gap.
Gaps in entrepreneurship and workforce participation lower per-capita GDP by an estimated 14%.
Women currently earn 84% of what a man does for equal work.
Events that led up to it
1925: Alternate reality begins
In this experiment, we went back 100 years and made women and men equal in the economy. Key changes included making women 50% of company executives, 50% of stock market investors, 50% of the startup founders getting funded, and 50% of financial decision makers at home.
1930s
Women in labor economics
Early women-led economic research influences labor standards and wage equity debates.
1940s
Policy shift
Equal pay legislation passes earlier due to parity in political power.
1950s
Union power
Women’s representation in unions drives stronger wage bargaining protections.
1963
Enforcement begins
Frameworks for equal pay mature.
1964
Closure
Gender pay gap closes nationwide.
1970s
Safeguards
Expansion of equal employment policies prevents backsliding in high-growth sectors.
1980s–1990s
Sustained equality
Education and professional parity ensure wage equality holds.
2000s–2025
Stability
Structural parity remains across industries, preventing re-opening of the gap.
