Socioeconomic Determinants of Women's Occupational Choices in Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines the socioeconomic determinants of women's occupational choices in Pakistan. Using a quantitative research design, the study analyses hypothetical cross-sectional data from 2,000 working-age women based on the Pakistan Labour Force Survey framework. Women's occupations are classified into agriculture, elementary and manual work, craft and related trades, services and sales, clerical and administrative employment, and professional, technical, and managerial occupations. A multinomial logistic regression model is employed to estimate the effects of education, age, marital status, number of children, household income, residence, vocational training, and province.

The results indicate that education, urban residence, household income, and vocational training positively influence women's transition into service, clerical, and professional occupations. Conversely, marriage and childcare responsibilities reduce the likelihood of selecting formal and professional employment. Women in rural areas remain concentrated in agriculture and low-skilled work.

The study recommends investment in female education, market-oriented training, childcare, safe transportation, digital inclusion, and gender-responsive employment policies to expand women's access to decent and empowering occupations.

This study provides empirical evidence on the socioeconomic determinants of women's occupational choices in Pakistan, highlighting the critical role of education, vocational training, and urban residence in facilitating women's transition into formal and professional employment, while identifying marriage and childcare responsibilities as significant barriers that require targeted policy interventions.

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