Labor force participation rate Unemployment

the united states labor force participation rate gender 1948–2011. men represented in light blue, women in pink, , total in black.

the labor force participation rate ratio between labor force , overall size of cohort (national population of same age range). in west during later half of 20th century, labor force participation rate increased significantly, due increase in number of women entered workplace.

in united states, there have been 4 significant stages of women s participation in labor force—increases in 20th century , decreases in 21st century. male labor force participation decreased 1953 until 2013. since october 2013 men have been increasingly joining labor force.

during late 19th century through 1920s, few women worked outside home. young single women typically withdrew labor force @ marriage unless family needed 2 incomes. these women worked in textile manufacturing industry or domestic workers. profession empowered women , allowed them earn living wage. @ times, financial families.

between 1930 , 1950, female labor force participation increased due increased demand office workers, women s participation in high school movement, , due electrification reduced time spent on household chores. between 1950s 1970s, women secondary earners working secretaries, teachers, nurses, , librarians (pink-collar jobs).

between mid-1970s late 1990s there period of revolution of women in labor force brought on source of different factors. women more accurately planned future in work force, investing in more applicable majors in college prepared them enter , compete in labor market. in united states, female labor force participation rate rose approximately 33% in 1948 peak of 60.3% in 2000. of april 2015 female labor force participation @ 56.6%, male labor force participation rate @ 69.4% , total 62.8%.

a common theory in modern economics claims rise of women participating in u.s. labor force in 1950s 1990s due introduction of new contraceptive technology, birth control pills, , adjustment of age of majority laws. use of birth control gave women flexibility of opting invest , advance career while maintaining relationship. having control on timing of fertility, not running risk of thwarting career choices. however, 40% of population used birth control pill.

this implies other factors may have contributed women choosing invest in advancing careers. 1 factor may more , more men delayed age of marriage, allowing women marry later in life without worrying quality of older men. other factors include changing nature of work, machines replacing physical labor, eliminating many traditional male occupations, , rise of service sector, many jobs gender neutral.

another factor may have contributed trend equal pay act of 1963, aimed @ abolishing wage disparity based on sex. such legislation diminished sexual discrimination , encouraged more women enter labor market receiving fair remuneration raising families , children.

at turn of 21st century labor force participation began reverse long period of increase. reasons change include rising share of older workers, increase in school enrollment rates among young workers , decrease in female labor force participation.

the labor force participation rate can decrease when rate of growth of population outweighs of employed , unemployed together. labor force participation rate key component in long-term economic growth, important productivity.

a historic shift began around end of great recession women began leaving labor force in united states , other developed countries. female labor force participation rate in united states has steadily decreased since 2009 , of april 2015 female labor force participation rate has gone down 1988 levels of 56.6%.

participation rates defined follows:

the labor force participation rate explains how increase in unemployment rate can occur simultaneously increase in employment. if large amount of new workers enter labor force small fraction become employed, increase in number of unemployed workers can outpace growth in employment.