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Occupational segregation by race in South Africa after apartheid

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  • Carlos Gradín

Abstract

This paper investigates progress in reducing the high level of racial stratification of occupations after apartheid in South Africa. Empirical analysis, using census microdata and Labour Force Surveys, does not provide compelling evidence of sustained or significant desegregation. Occupations remain highly segmented by race, with blacks disproportionally holding low‐paying jobs (compared with whites), although segregation and segmentation also affect in a different way the other population groups (Indians/Asians and Coloureds). Less than a third of the occupational segregation and about half of the segmentation of Africans (with respect to whites) are related to their characteristics, especially their lower educational achievement, a gap that has been reduced over time. Segregation and stratification, however, remain when blacks and whites with similar characteristics are compared.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Gradín, 2019. "Occupational segregation by race in South Africa after apartheid," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(2), pages 553-576, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rdevec:v:23:y:2019:i:2:p:553-576
    DOI: 10.1111/rode.12551
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    Cited by:

    1. Masa, Rainier & Khan, Zoheb & Chowa, Gina, 2020. "Youth food insecurity in Ghana and South Africa: Prevalence, socioeconomic correlates, and moderation effect of gender," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Koomson, Isaac & Afoakwah, Clifford & Ampofo, Akwasi, 2022. "How does ethnic diversity affect energy poverty? Insights from South Africa," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    3. Alessandro Belmonte & Davide Ticchi & Michele Ubaldi, 2025. "Affirmative Actions, Economic Insecurity, and Ethnic Conflicts: Evidence from South Africa Post-Apartheid," Working Papers 496, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche (I), Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche e Sociali.
    4. Belmonte, Alessandro & Ticchi, Davide & Ubaldi, Michele, 2025. "Re-exhuming the old hatchet: The effects of affirmative action policies on political preferences in post-apartheid South Africa," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1626, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    5. Jacqueline Mosomi & Wendy Cunningham, 2024. "Profiling green jobs and workers in South Africa: An occupational tasks approach," SALDRU Working Papers 305, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.

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