Mapping Gender Disparities in Chinese Labor Market

A Geospatial Analysis of Income and Occupational Differences

Abstract

This study examines gender disparities in China's labor market using data from the Chinese Population Census, the China Household Income Project, and the China Labor Dynamics Survey, spanning four decades. A spatial cluster analysis highlighted the geographical distribution of female employment performance. We employed baseline regression and spatial vector autoregressive models to identify the factors driving these disparities. The Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions showed lower gender disparities. Additionally, a notable "siphoning effect" was observed in major cities, attracting exceptional female labor, while a "spillover effect" enhanced skills in surrounding areas.