An Overview of Gender Occupational Segregation in Taiwan

Dr. Jou-juo CHU (Bio)
Professor
Dept. of Labour Relations
National Chung Cheng University (Taiwan)

Abstract: This paper focuses on the phenomenon of gender occupational segregation, i.e. the uneven distribution of men and women across select occupations in Taiwan. As it reveals, the greater the degree of unevenness in the distribution of men and women across occupations, the greater the degree of gender occupational segregation appears. Since occupational segregation remains one of the most important factors that influence young people¡¯s choice of career, this paper examines male and female distribution in different occupations between 1997 and 2006 and illustrates the changing patterns of gender segregation in the process of economic development in Taiwan. It starts with an investigation into gender segregation in occupational areas and moves further to examine the gender gap in earnings and work hours between male-dominated and female-dominated occupations. The main findings of this study are: (1) gender segregation has accelerated in some female-dominated industries, especially the textile and garment industries; (2) gender segregation has improved in most male-dominated industries -- except the chemical material manufacturing industry; and (3) the gender wage gap, though generally shrinking, seems to be generated more by overtime working hours for men than women.