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An Analysis of Occupational Choice in Pakistan: A Multinomial Approach

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  • Zafar Mueen Nasir

    (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.)

Abstract

Occupational choice plays an important role in determining earnings and success in the labour market. In the social structure of Pakistan, an occupation reflects the socio-economic status of the individual. In this backdrop, the paper looks at the occupational structure and analyses how different characteristics help individuals to access jobs of their choice. The main issue discussed in the paper is how men and women have a different occupation distribution. Estimates are based on a multinomial log model of occupation choices for men and women, using the Pakistan Integrated Household Survey (PIHS) 2001-02 data. The empirical results show that individuals with high educational achievements choose high-ranking jobs. It is also noted that gender has a role in the labour market and males are sorted out in high-paying occupation. Occupational choice is influenced more by the human capital variables than by the individual characteristics. Among human capital variables, education has the strongest impact in the selection of an occupation of choice.

Suggested Citation

  • Zafar Mueen Nasir, 2005. "An Analysis of Occupational Choice in Pakistan: A Multinomial Approach," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 44(1), pages 57-79.
    • Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:44:y:2005:i:1:p:57-79
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. E. Sahn David & M. Villa Kira, 2017. "Working Paper 280 - Labor Market Outcomes during Life Transition," Working Paper Series 2397, African Development Bank.
    2. Anjan Ray Chaudhury, 2017. "Interpreting the Disparity in Educational Attainment among Various Socio-religious Groups in India," IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, , vol. 6(1), pages 73-89, January.
    3. Sahn, David E. & Villa, Kira M., 2016. "Labor Outcomes during the Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood: The Role of Personality, Cognition, and Shocks in Madagascar," IZA Discussion Papers 10359, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. repec:lan:wpaper:4484 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Ham, Roger & Junankar, Pramod N. (Raja) & Wells, Robert, 2009. "Occupational Choice: Personality Matters," IZA Discussion Papers 4105, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. repec:lan:wpaper:4789 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. David McClough & Mary Ellen Benedict, 2017. "Not All Education Is Created Equal: How Choice of Academic Major Affects the Racial Salary Gap," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 62(2), pages 184-205, October.
    8. repec:lan:wpaper:4356 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Anjan Ray Chaudhury & Dipankar Das & Sreemanta Sarkar, 2023. "Complementarity in Demand-side Variables and Educational Participation," Papers 2303.04647, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2023.
    10. Anjan Ray Chaudhury & Madhabendra Sinha, 2020. "Does Education Produce Identical Labour Market Outcomes for All? A Study on India," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 14(3), pages 309-331, August.
    11. Theo Sparreboom & Lubna Shahnaz, 2007. "Assessing Labour Market Vulnerability among Young People," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 46(3), pages 193-213.
    12. Shujaat Farooq, 2015. "Job Mismatches in Pakistan: Is there Some Wage Penalty to Graduates?," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 54(2), pages 147-164.
    13. A Aggarwal & R Freguglia & G Johnes & G Spricigo, 2011. "Education and labour market outcomes : evidence from India," Working Papers 615663, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
    14. Sahn, David E. & Villa, Kira M., 2015. "The Role of Personality, Cognition and Shocks in Determining Age of Entry into Labor Market, Sector of Employment, and within Sector Earnings," 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 26-28, San Francisco, California 205673, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    15. repec:lan:wpaper:4355 is not listed on IDEAS

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