Working-age employment rates: by disadvantaged group, spring 1999 and 2003, UK
Between spring 1999 and spring 2003 there was gradual growth in employment rates among the key disadvantaged groups in the UK. This growth was generally greater than that for the total working-age population. The increase was very small for people without formal qualifications. This group also experienced an increase in economic inactivity.
Labour market experiences also differ by gender. The male working-age employment rate declined from over 90 per cent in the early 1970s to just below 80 per cent in 2003. For women, participation in employment increased from 56 per cent to just under 70 per cent over the same period. Children affect the economic activity of women more than that of men. In 2003, 48 per cent of women with a child under two were in employment compared with 90 per cent of men with children of this age.
The working-age unemployment rates of those facing some disadvantage are historically higher than in the general working-age population. Minority ethnic groups, lone parents, and people without formal qualifications had an unemployment rate of about 10 per cent in 2003. This was roughly twice the rate for the total working-age population. Among the 7 million people of working age who had a disability, the unemployment rate was 8 per cent.
Working-age inactivity rates: by disadvantaged group, spring 1999 and 2003, UK
Disadvantaged groups, particularly the disabled, are more likely to be inactive than the general working-age population, and the likelihood of inactivity increases with more disadvantages. Across the population as a whole, inactivity rates did not drop substantially between 1999 and 2003 as employment rates increased slightly. However, for lone parents the inactivity rate declined by 3 percentage points. People with low qualifications experienced an increase of 1 percentage point.
Reasons for inactivity vary by sex and age. Men have been hardest hit by a decline in demand for low-skilled workers, and are also most likely to be inactive due to long-term sickness or disability. Older men are also more likely than older women to take early retirement. Women are more likely to be inactive for family reasons, and form the bulk of lone parents.
Source: HM Treasury and Department for Work & Pensions (2003). Full employment in every region. The Stationery Office
Notes: Working-age adults are males aged 16 to 64 and females aged 16 to 59.
Older people: those aged 50 to 64 for men and 50 to 59 for women.
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