Determinants and consequences of gender segregation in the labor market: A comparative analysis of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan
-
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(3).2025.30
-
Article InfoVolume 23 2025, Issue #3, pp. 413-426
- 18 Views
-
1 Downloads
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
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.
- Keywords
-
JEL Classification (Paper profile tab)J16, J21, J31
-
References38
-
Tables3
-
Figures5
-
- 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
-
- Acosta Ballesteros, J., Osorno del Rosal, M. P., & Rodríguez Rodríguez, O. M. (2018). Underemployment and employment among young workers and the business cycle in Spain: The importance of education level and specialization. Journal of Education and Work, 31(1), 28-46.
- Alkadry, M. G., & Tower, L. E. (2006). Unequal pay: The role of gender. Public Administration Review, 66(6), 888-898.
- Anker, R. (1998). Gender and jobs: Sex segregation of occupations in the world. International Labour Office.
- Bando, R. (2019). Evidence-based gender equality policy and pay in Latin America and the Caribbean: Progress and challenges. Latin American Economic Review, 28, Article 10.
- Barrett, G. F., & Doiron, D. J. (2001). Working part time: By choice or by constraint? Canadian Journal of Economics, 34(4), 1042-1065.
- Bettio, F., Verashchagina, A., Mairhuber, I., & Kanjuo Mrčela, A. (2009). Gender segregation in the labour market: Root causes, implications and policy responses in the EU. Publications Office of the European Union.
- Blackburn, R. M., Browne, J., Brooks, B., & Jarman, J. (2002). Explaining gender segregation. British Journal of Sociology, 53(4), 513-536.
- Blau, F. D., & Kahn, L. M. (2003). Understanding international differences in the gender pay gap. Journal of Labour Economics, 21(1), 106-144.
- Bo‘ranova, U. (2025). Gender equality and opportunities created for women in Uzbekistan are an important step for development. Journal of Academic Research and Trends in Educational Sciences, 4(1), 169-171.
- Borrowman, M., & Klasen, S. (2020). Drivers of gendered sectoral and occupational segregation in developing countries. Feminist Economics, 26(2), 62-94.
- Cattani, L., & Rizza, R. (2024). Occupational segregation and mental health among professionals: Women’s risk exposure in five micro-classes. Social Sciences, 13(2), Article 92.
- Fachrieva, N. (2017). Gender asymmetry in the labour market of the Kyrgyz Republic. Bulletin of the KRSU Economic Sciences, 17(2), 58-61.
- Farris, F. A. (2010). The Gini index and measures of inequality. The American Mathematical Monthly, 117(10), 851-864.
- Gedikli, Ç. (2020). Occupational gender segregation in Turkey: The vertical and horizontal dimensions. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 41(1), 121-139.
- Green, A., & Livanos, I. (2015). Involuntary non-standard employment and the economic crisis: Regional insights from the UK. Regional Studies, 49(7), 1223-1235.
- International Labour Organization (ILO). (2018). Global Wage Report 2018/19: What lies behind gender pay gaps?
- International Monitoring Mission on Labour Rights in Central Asia. (2024). Reports.
- Kamerāde, D., & Richardson, H. (2017). Gender segregation, underemployment and subjective well being in the UK labour market. Human Relations, 71(2), 285-309.
- Khitarishvili, T. (2018). Gender pay gaps in the former Soviet Union: A review of the evidence. Journal of Economic Surveys, 33(4), 1257-1284.
- Kjeldstad, R., & Nymoen, E. H. (2012a). Part time work and gender: Worker versus job explanations. International Labour Review, 151(1), 85-107.
- Kjeldstad, R., & Nymoen, E. H. (2012b). Underemployment in a gender segregated labour market. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 33(2), 207-224.
- Leijon, O., Bernmark, E., Karlqvist, L., & Härenstam, A. (2005). Awkward work postures: Association with occupational gender segregation. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47(5), 381-393.
- Lupton, B. (2006). Explaining men’s entry into female concentrated occupations: Issues of masculinity and social class. Gender, Work & Organization, 13(2), 103-128.
- Marco-Serrano, F., Rausell-Koster, P., & Abeledo-Sanchis, R. (2014). Economic development and the creative industries: A tale of causality. Creative Industries Journal, 7(2), 81-91.
- Martin, P., & Barnard, A. (2013). The experience of women in male dominated occupations: A constructivist grounded theory inquiry. Journal of Industrial Psychology, 39(2), Article a1099.
- Mehta, C., & Strough, J. (2010). Gender segregation and gender typing in adolescence. Sex Roles, 63(3 4), 251-263.
- OECD. (n.d.). Social Institutions & Gender Index Dashboard.
- Papuc, A. (2024). Asia is fighting off the diversity backlash. The Japan Times.
- Parasnis, J. (2006). Segregation in the Australian labour market. Australian Economic Papers, 45(4), 318-332.
- Passinhas, J., & Araújo, T. (2021). Gender-based occupational segregation: A bit string approach (Working Paper).
- Patston, T. J., Kaufman, J. C., Cropley, A. J., & Marrone, R. L. (2021). What is creativity in education? A qualitative study of international curricula. Journal of Advanced Academics, 32(2), 207-230.
- Rodgers, Y., & Zveglich, J. E. (2004). Occupational Segregation and the Gender Wage Gap in a Dynamic East Asian Economy. Southern Economic Journal, 70(4), 850-875.
- Rubery, J., & Fagan, C. (1995). Gender segregation in societal context. Work, Employment and Society, 9(2), 213-240.
- Simpson, R. (2004). Masculinity at work: The experiences of men in female dominated occupations. Work, Employment and Society, 18(2), 349-368.
- Tam, H. (2010). Characteristics of the underemployed and the overemployed in the UK. Economic and Labour Market Review, 4(7), 8-20.
- Torre, M. (2018). Stopgappers? The occupational trajectories of men in female dominated occupations. Work and Occupations, 45(3), 283-312.
- Valletta, R. G., Bengali, L., & van der List, C. (2018, March 1). Cyclical and market determinants of involuntary part time employment (Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Working Paper 2015 19).
- World Economic Forum. (2023, June 20). The Global Gender Gap Report 2023.