Rise in women in work

Women's employment has increased from a rate of 56 percent in 1971 to 70 percent in 2005. This equates to 4 million more women in work over the last 35 or so years. Some of this increase has been driven by the rise in working mothers. These are among the figures highlighted in Labour Market Review 2006, a new report from the Office for National Statistics.

Over the ten years to spring 2005, the employment rate for married or cohabiting mothers increased by 6 percentage points and the employment rate for lone mothers by 14 percentage points, reflecting increases in both full-time and part-time employment.

The pay gap has narrowed. Women's hourly pay is now 87 per cent of men's, compared with 80 per cent in 1998. There are differences in the types of job held by men and women. Women are four times more likely than men to work in personal service occupations, such as hairdressing and childminding, and over twice as likely to work in sales and customer service.

Among the other facts highlighted by the report are:

UK employment levels have been rising generally over the last three decades, increasing from 24.6 million in 1971 to 28.8 million in 2005.

In the 12 months to November 2005, the lowest unemployment rates were for people of White or Indian ethnic origin (4.4 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively). Unemployment rates were highest for those of Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin (15.0 per cent).

More information: Labour Market Review 2006