In a significant shift over the past decade, married women in South Africa have achieved educational parity with their male counterparts, leading to notable improvements in labour market outcomes. Professor Derek Yu of the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Department of Economics highlighted this during the 7th Women’s Month Seminar series presented by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences this month. Drawing on data from the 2014-2024 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Prof Yu’s presentation explored the evolving landscape of employment and education among South African women aged 30 to 40.
In 2014, married women were, on average, 0.5 years less educated than married men, but by 2024, this gap had closed, with both groups averaging 11.2 years of education. However, the trend for unmarried men and women remains concerning, with unmarried men being the least educated among the four groups examined.
Employment outcomes have also shifted, with married men experiencing the lowest unemployment rate (15%) in 2024, followed by married women (25%). Unmarried women and men face higher unemployment rates of 35% and 40%, respectively. Prof Yu attributed this disparity to differences in educational attainment, which significantly impact their employability.
The study further revealed a bimodal distribution in the occupational skills levels of employed married women. Approximately 30% of these women are engaged in high-skilled occupations, such as management and professional roles, which offer better remuneration and job security – conversely, another 30% work in low-skilled occupations, including domestic work.
Encouragingly, entrepreneurial activity has risen across all demographics. The percentage of employed individuals engaged in self-employment or entrepreneurial activities increased from 2014 to 2024. This figure stands at 18.6% among employed married men, compared to 13.7% for married women. Despite the positive trend, women, particularly unmarried women, are less likely to engage in entrepreneurship, possibly due to additional responsibilities such as childbearing and household maintenance.
“Despite progress in education and entrepreneurship, gender disparities in earnings persist. Across all skill levels, employed women earn less than their male counterparts. This gap can be attributed to differences in work experience, job tenure, weekly hours worked, and potential wage discrimination,” said Prof Yu.
Prof Yu’s analysis highlights the importance of continued efforts to support educational advancement and equitable labour market opportunities for all, particularly in addressing gender-based disparities.
