Women’s participation increases and that of men decreases.
Interestingly enough men are participating less, with male participation at 74.4 percent this year compared with 80.1 percent in 1986 .
The Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) has been collecting information on New Zealand’s employment and unemployment since 1986. The most recent (March 2016 quarter) results were recently published.
Statistics New Zealand marks the 30th anniversary of the survey this year, and has found some remarkable changes in the makeup of the labour force since the survey began.
Higher proportions of women and older people are in the labour force than in 1986. Fewer parents are staying at home to look after children, and it is less common for teenagers to take on employment.
Women’s participation in the labour force (as a proportion of the working-age population) has increased by almost 10 percentage points since the survey began – rising to 64 percent compared to 54.7 percent in 1986.
Interestingly enough men are participating less, with male participation at 74.4 percent this year compared with 80.1 percent in 1986.
