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Analysis of gender segregation within detailed occupations and industries in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Gerard Lind

    (SGS Economics and Planning)

  • Rebecca Colquhoun

    (Department of Education, Skills and Employment)

Abstract

This study provides new and detailed estimates of gender segregation in the Australian labour market. Using ABS Labour Force Survey and Census data, we explore and decompose long-term trends of segregation and integration by employing a shiftshare analysis and index measures across time, age and space. We find that over the last three decades, gender segregation has not significantly changed across either industries or occupations. Gender segregation across industries is, in general, more resistant to gender integration than across occupations and detailed classifications are profoundly more segregated than top-level classifications. Additionally, gender segregation increases as individuals get older and the farther they work from urbanised locations. We show that decades of gender equality policy have not had a major impact on minimising labour market segregation. Women continue to have more constrained labour supply choices than men, hindering labour market efficiency and flexibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerard Lind & Rebecca Colquhoun, 2021. "Analysis of gender segregation within detailed occupations and industries in Australia," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 24(1), pages 47-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:24:y:2021:i:1:p:47-69
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Leonora Risse & Angela Jackson, 2021. "A gender lens on the workforce impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 24(2), pages 111-144.
    2. Sandra Buchler & Alfred M. Dockery, 2023. "Women’s work: myth or reality? Occupational feminisation and women’s job satisfaction in Australia," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 26(1), pages 51-83.
    3. Breunig, Robert & Hansell, David & Win, Nu Nu, 2023. "Modelling Australian Public Service Careers," IZA Discussion Papers 16549, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    employment; gender; occupational segregation; industrial segregation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • J70 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - General

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