Feminization of the Labor Force, Development, and Economic Reform: Effects on Job Segregation by Sex

This article explores the relationship between occupational segregation by sex and economic development, feminization of the workforce, and neoliberal structural adjustment. Using Anker-adjusted Duncan indices calculated from detailed occupational data for 49 countries to measure occupational segregation by sex, an OLS analysis suggests that job segregation of the nonagricultural workforce is positively related to economic development and negatively related to feminization of the workforce. The analysis is inconclusive regarding job segregation and neoliberal structural adjustment, but it does provide some evidence of a negative relationship. Although there are a few existing studies focusing on export sectors of particular countries, this is the first large scale cross-national study to examine the relationship between structural adjustment and job segregation by sex. This study also adds to the evidence provided by other scholars regarding the relationship between job segregation and economic development, and between job segregation and feminization of the labor force.