Knowledge of the long relationship between gender equality and economic growth is hampered by the lack of information and resources on the various dimensions of gender equality. This paper is a first attempt to assess the size of the gender gap and investigate its relationship with economic growth from a historical perspective. Exploiting a unique census-based dataset of 86 French counties in the mid-nineteenth century, I construct a historical gender gap index measuring the size of the gap between men and women in three critical areas: economic opportunities, educational attainment, and health. A county comparison allows me to identify the strengths and weaknesses of French counties in closing the gender gap. I find that France can be divided into two main areas, the North and the South. In particular, the Northern counties that have done most to narrow the gap display better economic performance. Boys' and girls' education and family structures appear to be crucial determinants of gender equality. Gender equality is positively and significantly associated with economic performance. Accounting for the multi-dimensions of gender equality is crucial for economic development.

由于缺乏关于性别平等各个方面的信息和资源，人们对性别平等与经济增长之间长期关系的认识受到了阻碍。本文首次尝试评估性别差距的大小，并从历史的角度研究其与经济增长的关系。利用 19 世纪中叶法国 86 个县的独特的基于人口普查的数据集，我构建了一个历史性别差距指数，衡量男性和女性在三个关键领域的差距大小：经济机会、教育程度和健康。县比较使我能够确定法国县在缩小性别差距方面的优势和劣势。我发现法国可以分为两个主要地区，北方和南方。尤其是，缩小差距的北方县市经济表现较好。男孩和女孩的教育和家庭结构似乎是两性平等的关键决定因素。性别平等与经济绩效呈正相关且显着相关。考虑性别平等的多维度对经济发展至关重要。