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Occupational gender segregation in post-apartheid South Africa

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  • Carlos Gradín

Abstract

In this paper, I show that occupations in South Africa are segregated and stratified not only by race, but also by gender. While some women (mostly black and Coloured) overwhelmingly fill low-paying jobs, others (mostly white and Indian/Asian but also Coloured) tend to fill higher-paying professional positions. I find some evidence of a long-term reduction in gender segregation and stratification, with women and men entering occupations previously dominated by the other gender, although this trend is sensitive to several data considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Gradín, 2018. "Occupational gender segregation in post-apartheid South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-53, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2018-53
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bhorat, Haroon & Hirsch, Alan & Kanbur, Ravi & Ncube, Mthuli (ed.), 2014. "The Oxford Companion to the Economics of South Africa," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199689248.
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    Cited by:

    1. S. Chivasa & P. G. Kadenge & G. Makuyana, 2024. "An empirical analysis of gender disparities in employment in South Africa: A Yun decomposition approach," Journal of Economic Policy and Management Issues, JEPMI, vol. 3(2), pages 14-25.
    2. Luis Enrique Escalante & Hélène Maisonnave & Margaret Raviro Chitiga, 2021. "Do South African fiscal reforms benefit women?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(6), pages 719-729, February.
    3. Carolyn Chisadza & Matthew Clance & Nicky Nicholls & Eleni Yitbarek & Tendai Zawaira, 2025. "Attitudes to Gender Inequality in South Africa: Evidence from Implicit and Explicit Attitudes," Working Papers 202514, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    4. Roberts, Gareth & Schöer, Volker, 2021. "Gender-based segregation in education, jobs and earnings in South Africa," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 23(C).
    5. Dorrit Posel & Janet Bruce-Brand, 2021. "‘Only a Housewife?’ Subjective Well-Being and Homemaking in South Africa," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 323-342, January.

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