Women are fast becoming as likely as men to go out to work, as the rising state pension age forces more to postpone retirement, official figures reveal today.
The employment rate for women rose to an all-time high of 72 per cent in the three months to April, compared with 80.3 per cent for men, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The number of women classed as “economically inactive” also fell to a record low of 5.2 million.
ONS statistician Matt Hughes said: “With employment growth among women coming from full-timers, the overall gap between men and women in hours worked is now the lowest ever — women average about three quarters of men’s weekly hours, compared with around two-thirds 25 years ago.”
In another strong set of figures, overall employment was up by 32,000 in the three months to April to a record 32.7 million. Unemployment also fell by 34,000 to 1.3 million, the joint lowest level since the end of 1974.
Average earnings, excluding bonuses, rose 3.4 per cent over the year, a 1.5 per cent rise in real terms after the effect of inflation.
Employment minister Alok Sharma said: “With wage growth and female employment increasing, the Government’s focus on pro-business policies and balanced economic management is delivering opportunity for all.”
