The Office for National Statistics said that unemployment rates for both men and women have been falling since late 2013.
For women it has shown a smaller fall over this period – from 6.4% to 3.7%. This is the lowest level since 1971, when records began.
The ONS said the increase in the employment rate for women is due partly to changes to the state pension age for women. Fewer women are now retiring between the ages of 60 and 65.
Andrew Wishart, UK economist at Capital Economics, said the increased participation rate of women was part of “a cultural change seen across developed economies”.
It may also reflect higher wages attracting women and older workers into the workplace.
The male unemployment rate has fallen from 7% to 3.9% over the last five years.
The ONS said 1.3 million people were unemployed for January to March 2019. That’s 119,000 fewer than for a year earlier and 914,000 fewer than for five years earlier.
The overall unemployment rate of 3.8% in the first quarter was last matched in the three-month period from November 1974 to January 1975.
The ONS also said that total hours worked by women had increased while for men, it had stayed the stable.
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HeadlineFemale unemployment rate lowest since records began
Short HeadlineFemale unemployment rate lowest since 1971
StandfirstBritain's female unemployment rate in the first three months of the year has fallen to 3.7%, the lowest since 1971.
The Office for National Statistics said that unemployment rates for both men and women have been falling since late 2013.
For women it has shown a smaller fall over this period – from 6.4% to 3.7%. This is the lowest level since 1971, when records began.
The ONS said the increase in the employment rate for women is due partly to changes to the state pension age for women. Fewer women are now retiring between the ages of 60 and 65.
Andrew Wishart, UK economist at Capital Economics, said the increased participation rate of women was part of “a cultural change seen across developed economies”.
It may also reflect higher wages attracting women and older workers into the workplace.
The male unemployment rate has fallen from 7% to 3.9% over the last five years.
The ONS said 1.3 million people were unemployed for January to March 2019. That’s 119,000 fewer than for a year earlier and 914,000 fewer than for five years earlier.
The overall unemployment rate of 3.8% in the first quarter was last matched in the three-month period from November 1974 to January 1975.
The ONS also said that total hours worked by women had increased while for men, it had stayed the stable.
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