Determinants and consequences of gender segregation in the labor market: A comparative analysis of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

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Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Gender segregation in the labor market remains a pressing socio-economic issue in Central Asian countries, where women still face challenges in accessing high-paying sectors and leadership positions. This study aims to uncover the structural and socio-economic drivers of gender segregation in the labor markets of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and their impact on employment equity and economic opportunity. The analysis covers the period from 2015 to 2024. The research uses national statistical data and applies the Index of Dissimilarity (Duncan index), the Gender Gini Index, and the Glass Ceiling Index (GCI). Kazakhstan’s Duncan index increased from 0.2965 to 0.32195, and Kyrgyzstan’s rose from 0.2859 to 0.3347, indicating rising occupational gender segregation. Uzbekistan, in contrast, showed a modest decrease from 0.3223 to 0.3104. Gini index values dropped most significantly in Kazakhstan (from 11.59 to 8.53), reflecting improved wage equality. Uzbekistan also saw a notable decline (from 24.41 to 19.12), while Kyrgyzstan’s progress was slower (from 9.02 to 8.33). GCI trends show persistent barriers: in Kyrgyzstan, the index rose from 0.84 to 1.24, while in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan it remained below 1.0, peaking at 0.91 and 0.74, respectively. A panel regression (R² = 0.6647) identified significant predictors: GDP per capita (β = 16.225), women in leadership (β = –3.85), female unemployment (β = 2.98), and the male-to-female employment ratio (β = 0.68). The strongest factor in reducing the gender pay gap was women’s representation in leadership. The results highlight structural inequality and call for targeted policy to ensure inclusive labor market development.

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    • Figure 1. Duncan index for Central Asian countries
    • Figure 2. Gini index of the Central Asian countries
    • Figure 3. Glass ceiling index of the Central Asian countries
    • Figure 4. Standard diagnostic plots for model evaluation
    • Figure 5. Standard diagnostic plots for model evaluation
    • Table 1. Index of dissimilarity
    • Table 2. Gini coefficient
    • Table 3. Glass ceiling index
    • Conceptualization
      Yeldar Mubarakov
    • Data curation
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Formal Analysis
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Funding acquisition
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Investigation
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Methodology
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Project administration
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Resources
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Software
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Supervision
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Validation
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Visualization
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva
    • Writing – original draft
      Yeldar Mubarakov
    • Writing – review & editing
      Yeldar Mubarakov, Ilona Bordiyanu, Ayazhan Seriktayeva, Zhassulan Baikenov, Gulnar Sarsembayeva