This research aims to delve into the complex interplay between macroeconomic factors and gender-based employment segregation in the context of Sri Lanka. Unlike conventional analyses that primarily concentrate on supply-side factors influencing gender-based occupational segregation, this study takes a broader perspective. It argues that the examination should extend beyond the supply side, emphasising the significant influence of macroeconomic policies in the country. Aspects such as government expenditure on education/health/social protection, regulations on foreign direct investment, and minimum wage regulations are likely to influence women’s relative pay, forming the core focus of this study — an exploration of the role of macroeconomic policies in driving changes in gender-based occupational segregation.
By adopting a multifaceted approach, this study seeks to contribute to the existing literature by employing three distinct measures—decent jobs, good jobs, and the Duncan dissimilarity index. Furthermore, the study aims to shed light on the distribution of decent and good jobs, exploring how these factors contribute to gender-based occupational segregation.