Labour segregation during last crisis: Uropean differences

Abstract

For EU, the 2008 crisis led to mayor gender changes at work. One of the most important and remarkable patterns has been the existence of a decrease in labor segregation. In this paper we analysis the occupational and sectoral segregation by gender in a selection of EU countries using the quarterly data from the Labor Force Survey (LFS) from 2008 to 2015. Through multiple analyzes, our results show that labor segregation has been reduced mainly due to the destruction of employment within construction and industry, sectors with high male employment. Therefore, the segregation would follow a process of “leveling down”. Likewise, there has also been an important effect of the “Added worker” among women, which has partially offset the fall in segregation. Finally, the profile of segregation does not seem to change during this period.