11/15/13
The number of U.S. women who are currently employed reached its highest-ever number in October 2013 – 67,486,000, up from the previous peak of 67,384,000 in March 2008, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Of the 2.3 million total new jobs added to payrolls between October 2012 and October 2013, 52% were filled by women.
The unemployment rate for women in October 2013 was 6.9%, while that among men was 7.6%. Unemployment among female heads of household (e.g., single mothers) was higher, at 9.5%.
Women’s overall participation in the labor force has declined since the pre-recession years, however. The proportion of all U.S. women in the labor force dropped from 59.4% in December 2007 to 56.9% in October 2013. Men’s participation also declined during this time, from 73.1% in December 2007 to 69.2% in October 2013.
The average time unemployed Americans spent looking for work before finding a job declined from 39.9 weeks in October 2012 to 36.1 weeks in October 2013.
Source: “Number of Women’s Jobs on Payrolls Reaches Highest Level Ever,” Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Ariane Hegewisch, Ph.D., Study Director, November 2013, 1200 18th St., NW, #301, Washington, DC 20036; 202-785-5100; hegewisch@iwpr.org; www.iwpr.org. Price: Available online at no charge.
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