Occupational Gender Segregation in the Russian Labor Market
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14515/monitoring.2026.1.3069Keywords:
occupational segregation, gender segregation, gender-dominated occupations, occupational structure of employment, labor market, Russian labor marketAbstract
The article presents an assessment of the level and dynamics of occupational gender segregation, considered a key characteristic reflecting the position of men and women in the labor market, in Russia from 2000 to 2024. Empirically, the study bases on the data from the Labor Force Surveys conducted by Rosstat and Eurostat. To measure the level of segregation, the author uses the Duncan dissimilarity index. The study shows that the level of occupational segregation in Russia is high and is characterized by a smooth upward trend. The increase is primarily due to a growing concentration of men and women within specific occupations. The gender occupational structure is stable and polarized. About half of Russian men and women are concentrated in either male-dominated or female-dominated occupations, in which the share of the dominant gender exceeds 80%. A very small proportion of the employed (less than 5%) works in mixed groups. Occupational segregation is significantly less pronounced among workers with higher education compared to those with lower educational levels. Gender segregation also varies substantially across industries. Sectors with a higher share of highly skilled jobs tend to exhibit lower levels of segregation. Compared to European countries, the Russian labor market is characterized by a high level of gender segregation. The dissimilarity index in Russia is one-third higher than the European average. The share of workers in male- and female-dominated occupations is the highest, twice the average for EU countries. The share of workers in mixed occupations, by contrast, is minimal, five times lower than the European average. Based on these results, this article suggests actions for gender desegregation in Russian employment.
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