DOI: 10.1177/10776990261491980 ISSN: 1077-6990

Invisible Women in Economics: Almost Two Centuries of Gender Representation in the Financial Times and The Economist (1843–2021)

Andrea Barigazzi
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This study examines gender representation in the Financial Times and The Economist between 1843 and 2021. Using millions of articles and name-frequency analysis, it traces the long-term evolution of women’s visibility in economic news. Results reveal a U -shaped pattern: relatively high representation in the nineteenth century, a decline through much of the 20th century, and a gradual recovery since the 1980s. Comparisons with benchmarks of women’s participation in high-status occupations and economic sectors show a persistent gap between media visibility and real-world presence. The findings point to a lasting paper ceiling in economic journalism.

JEL codes: J16, N34, L82

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