Labor Market Stratification In Cameroon: Gender, Occupation, And Income Gaps
Aïcha Mamadou Oumarou
Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon
Abstract
Cameroon’s labor market is undergoing a structural transformation driven by demographic pressures and evolving economic dynamics. These shifts have led to deteriorating employment conditions and limited access to essential social services. A central concern is the rapid expansion of precarious employment and the informal sector, which now comprises approximately 90% of the national workforce (NIS, 2016). These changes have intensified disparities in labor market outcomes, particularly affecting women.
While Cameroonian women have made notable strides since the 1990s—demonstrated by increased representation in leadership and governmental positions—gender disparities remain persistent and deeply embedded. As of recent data, women hold 17.18% of top government roles, a rise from 11.7% in 2012 and 6.7% in 2002. Despite this progress, gender-based wage gaps and occupational segregation continue to undermine equity in the labor market.
Rural women face especially acute challenges. They are predominantly engaged in low-wage or unpaid informal labor, often within agriculture, and are frequently self-employed or employed as temporary or family workers. Their essential domestic and reproductive contributions to household and community survival remain economically unrecognized, reinforcing cycles of poverty and marginalization.
This study explores the intersection of labor market transformation, gender inequality, and rural livelihoods in Cameroon. It critically examines how structural changes affect women's economic participation, access to decent work, and visibility in national labor statistics. In doing so, the research contributes to ongoing discourse on inclusive development, gender equity, and labor market reform in sub-Saharan Africa