The Effect of Mayoral Gender on Gendered Budget: Evidence from South Korea

Abstract

Politicians’ individual traits can influence policy outcomes. A local mayor has authority over the budget process and can affect the municipal budget allocation. This study empirically examined whether the mayor’s gender affected the gendered budget in Korean cities between 2016 and 2020. Across various econometric designs, our results revealed little evidence that mayoral gender (women, in this case) affects the formulation and execution of the gendered budget. The results imply that the effects of female representation through a female leader are dependent on various socioeconomic contexts.