Statistical review of women’s knowledge work in rural areas analyses the gender segregation of the labour force – the number of women in knowledge work has decreased in rural areas

As part of MDI’s UUTTU project, a statistical review of women’s knowledge work in rural areas was undertaken. The statistical review provides an analysis of the gender segregation of the labour force in Finland by urban–rural classification based on Statistics Finland’s data and the gender segregation of knowledge-intensive work in Finland at the regional level.

New information on the gender bias of the labour market

For decades, the Finnish labour market has been significantly divided into male-dominated and female-dominated sectors. Particularly highly gendered sectors include health and social work and mining and construction. In rural areas, the labour market is slightly more heavily gendered than in urban areas.

Gender segregation in the labour force has typically been examined by sector, main industry or province while a more detailed analysis, by region or type of region, is lacking. The gender segregation of knowledge-intensive work at the regional level has also not been examined, although the opportunities for knowledge-intensive work in rural areas are seen to have increased due to digitalisation and the widespread adoption of remote work practices.

Women in knowledge work, particularly in the education sector, live mainly in urban areas.

Based on the statistical review, it can be stated that women’s knowledge work is based primarily in the field of education and that women who do knowledge work live mainly in urban areas. The number of women doing knowledge work has actually decreased in rural areas over the last fifteen years. In contrast, the number of women in knowledge work increased in particular in large growing university provinces. In addition, the male dominance of knowledge work increased during the reviewed period (2007–2018). The number of knowledge-based jobs increased, especially in the male-dominated information and communications sector.