Australia Yearbook - 2001

216 Year Book Australia 2001
6.3 LABOUR FORCE, Components of Change, Annual Average
1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
1998–99
1999–00
%
%
%
%
%
%
MALES
Percentage change in labour force 1.5 1.5 0.9 0.9 1.3 1.3
Percentage points change due to
Population growth 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6
Labour force participation 0.2 0.1 –0.6 –0.6 –0.3 –0.3
FEMALES
Percentage change in labour force 3.2 2.7 1.6 1.0 1.8 2.7
Percentage points change due to
Population growth 1.3 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.3
Labour force participation 1.9 1.1 0.1 –0.4 0.4 1.5
PERSONS
Percentage change in labour force 2.2 2.0 1.2 1.0 1.5 1.9
Percentage points change due to
Population growth 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.5
Labour force participation 0.9 0.5 –0.3 –0.5 0.0 0.4
Source: Labour Force Survey.
The participation rate is one of the most
important indicators relating to the labour force.
It represents the proportion of the population
aged 15 and over who are in the labour force.
Analysis of participation rates, particularly in
terms of age, sex and marital status, provides the
basis for monitoring changes in the size and
composition of labour supply. The annual
average participation rate for males has generally
been declining for some time, and in 1999–2000 it
was 72.6%. In contrast, the female participation
rate increased to 53.9% in 1996–97. It stood at
54.5% in 1999–2000 (graph 6.4).
Table 6.5 shows changes in labour force status
between 1994–95 and 1999–2000. Notable
features include a steady increase in employment
for both males and females. Over this period, the
male unemployment rate decreased from 9.1% in
1994–95 to 7.0% in 1999–2000. The female
unemployment rate decreased from 8.7% in
1994–95 to 6.8% in 1999–2000.
Males
Females
Persons
6.4 PARTICIPATION RATES, Annual Average
%
90
70
50
30
1983–84 1987–88 1991–92 1995–96 1999–00
Source: Labour Force, Australia (6203.0).