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Key Facts on Women in the Labour Market

Women’s importance in the labour market is growing and the future success of the UK economy depends on women being able to reach their full potential.

We want to ensure that women have the opportunity to work when they want and that they can balance work with other family responsibilities.

• There are around 12.2 million women (44%) of working age in employment in the UK, compared to 15.4 million men.

• Women work because they want to – 7 out of 10 mums working full time say they would work even if they didn’t have to.

• Over 50% of mums with children under five work. 44% of lone parents go out to work.

• During March to May 2002, 73% of women aged 16 to 59 were economically active, compared to 84% of working age men. Women made up 44% of all the economically active. 69% of women of working age were in employment, 159,000 more than a year earlier.*

• 4.5% of economically actively women (575,000) were unemployed during the period, up 36,000 on a year earlier.*

• 5.3 million women (42% of those in employment) worked part-time between March to May 2002. Part-time work is more common for mothers: two thirds of women with children under 5 who are in employment work part-time.*
(*Source LFS Autumn 2002)

• Women are less likely than men to be in self employment: 6.5% of all working age women in employment are self employed, compared with 15% of all working age men in employment.

• Women comprise around 27% of the 3.5 million self-employed in the UK.

• It is likely that this figure under-estimates women's contribution to enterprise in family businesses and co-ownership

• Women start up one-third of new businesses and own 13% of all businesses.

• The rate of female self-employment has more than doubled over the last 20 years. (In 1979 only 3.12% of economically active women were self-employed; 6.76% by 1997)

• Women's participation in self-employment and business ownership is on a par with that of most northern European countries but lower than in the USA (38%)

• The majority of women who set up their own businesses are aged over 35. Many have family commitments; just under half have children aged 16 or under and one fifth have a child under the age of five.

The UK has the highest female employment rate of the major EU countries and fourth highest of all European Union countries, just behind Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Amongst other European countries, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland all have female employment rates greater than the UK’s.

The New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) provides support for lone parents who often find it hard to balance work and home life and therefore to return to work. NDLP has supported over 406,480 lone parents and 161,700 jobs have been gained through NDLP (January 2003).

A new mentoring service for lone parents will give lone parents, the majority of whom are women, access to a mentor who will be able to provide confidential support and advice in getting back to work.

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Gender Briefing (Updated quarterly)
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Key Indicators of Women’s Position in Britain (November 2002)
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Key Facts on Women in the Labour Market

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Topic resources