On average, girls experience a faster growth spurt than boys for a specific period during puberty. Around age 10, girls at the 50th percentile begin growing taller more rapidly than boys. This continues until approximately age 13, when girls typically finish their growth spurt. Boys' growth spurt begins later and continues for a longer duration.
However, it's crucial to note that this only applies to height growth during a specific developmental stage. The question of which gender "grows faster" is ambiguous without specifying what type of growth is being considered. Other interpretations include:
Growth in Prison Populations:
Data suggests that the rate of growth for female incarceration has been higher than that of males since 1980. (The Sentencing Project). This indicates a faster increase in the female prison population, not necessarily a faster biological growth.
Economic Growth & Gender Parity:
Studies also link gender equality to economic growth. Organizations like the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and McKinsey (McKinsey & Company) have shown that closing gender gaps can lead to substantial economic growth. In this context, "growth" refers to economic output, not biological development.
Growth of Veteran Populations:
The number of women veterans is also rapidly increasing. By 2040, women are projected to make up 18% of all veterans, making them the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population. (VA Women's Health) Again, this refers to population growth, not biological growth.
In summary, the answer depends on the context of "growth." While girls experience a faster growth spurt in height during a specific period of puberty, other types of "growth," such as prison population growth or the growth of specific demographics, may show different patterns.
