Rapid Economic Development and Job Segregation in Taiwan

Most segregation studies have focused on industrialized nations where the economic structure is stable. However, when an economy experiences rapid development, the changing nature of industries and occupations may have a profound impact on gender segregation. This study uses a rapidly developing economy—Taiwan—to examine this issue. Based on the Yearbook of Manpower Survey Statistics, the gender representation was stable across industries and job status during the study period (1978–1997). However, occupation segregation increased dramatically. Rather than signaling a rise in discrimination, we find evidence that points to a benign, welfare improving self-selection, rather than gender discrimination. We speculate that this demonstrates occupation choice of women is more family-oriented when economic growth and development allows them this luxury.

Jack W. Hou (Corresponding author)Email:

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Scott M. Fuess Jr.   is Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department of Economics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He is also Research Fellow of the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn, Germany. Jack W. Hou   is Professor of Economics, California State University, Long Beach. He is the senior coeditor of Contemporary Economic Policy, and the President of the Western Social Science Association. He is also Distinguished Adjunct Faculty of Nankai University, China.