Abstract: Based on the census data in 1982， 1990 and 2000 and detailed occupation categories， this paper discusses the degree of the sex segregation in non-agricultural occupations in China and its change trend since the reform as well as its impact on the gender inequality in the labor market. The results have indicated that occupational sex segregation experienced a directional shift from an increasing trend in the 1980s to a decreasing trend in the 1990s. This nonlinearity could be the consequence of the changes of the major factors influencing occupational sex segregation in different historical periods. The extent of sex segregation was also found to vary significantly by region， occupation， employees’ education， and residential registration status （hukou）. Moreover， since the open reform， the nonagricultural occupations in China have followed a trend toward gender integration （gender neutrality）. Finally， the paper discusses several factors that may have influenced occupational sex segregation in China and the direction for future studies upon this topic.

Key words: gender inequality, labor market, market transition, occupational sex segregation