Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/210916 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
IFN Working Paper No. 1275
Publisher: 
Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Stockholm
Abstract: 
This paper examines gender differences in optimism about the economy. We measure optimism using Swedish survey data in which respondents stated their beliefs about the country's future economic situation. We argue that this measure of optimism is preferable to common measurements in the literature since it avoids confounding individuals' economic situation with their perception of the future and it can be compared to economic indicators. In line with previous research, we find that men are more optimistic than women; however, men are also more prone to be wrong in their beliefs about the future economic situation. Furthermore, in sharp economic downturns, the gender differences in optimism disappear. This convergence in beliefs can be explained by the amount of available information on the economy.
Subjects: 
Gender
Optimism
Perception of the future
Economic downturns
JEL: 
J16
D83
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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