Unequal Access to Employment: Mapping Gender Gaps across African Labour Markets

This article contributes to the literature on African labour markets by examining gender disparities in employment outcomes across a group of African countries. Using data from the World Bank for the years 1996 and 2023, the study analyses three dimensions of gender inequality in labour markets: the employment gap, vulnerable employment gap, and wage employment gap. By comparing these indicators across countries and over time, the research highlights the extent and persistence of gender differences in labour market participation and employment structure. The results reveal significant disparities between men and women in most of the countries analysed, particularly in terms of access to formal and stable employment. Although moderate improvements can be observed over the analysed period, gender inequalities remain widespread across African labour markets. The findings suggest that these differences are closely linked to structural factors such as cultural norms, social roles, and historical legacies, including colonial influences that continue to shape labour market institutions. The study provides a comparative overview of gender employment disparities in Africa and emphasizes the need for policies aimed at improving women’s access to stable and formal employment.


Keywords: African studies, gender gap, unemployment, labour market