Occupational segregation in the labour market according to skin colour and level of schooling in contemporary Brazil

Abstract:

The aim of this article is to analyze occupational segregation according to skin colour and level of schooling between 2002 and 2012. Occupational segregation is measured by indexes. These indexes show a bigger occupational segregation between white and black women than between white and black men, although this differential decreased during the time period. However, the levels of occupational segregation between white and black men who had fifteen years, or longer, of education increased, while the levels between black and white women decreased. It must be emphasized that most management positions are held by men. This result arouses concern. Moreover, the levels of occupational segregation between males according to skin colour and schooling level do not decrease, despite the increase of black males with higher schooling. The implementation of affirmative actions as well as quality improvement in education may contribute to the mitigation of this occupational segregation.

Keywords:
labour market segregation; ethnicity; educational levels