IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The percentage of females employed in the community and social services sector (which includes government services) has shown the largest increase between 2001 and 2014, at just over 10%.

The trade industry has shown the greatest decrease in the percentage of women employed (-9,8%), followed by the manufacturing (-3,5%) and agriculture (-2,2%) industries.

This is just one of the findings in the first in a series of reports related to gender released by Statistics South Africa on Thursday 30 October. The report uses data from Statistics South Africa and other government departments to examine gender disparities in economic empowerment.

Some of the other findings in the report are that the presence of a minor child in the household impacts more upon female participation in the labour market than for males. Female participation rates are also higher when a minor child attends formal day care facilities. The study also found that the higher the level of education, the more likely it is that females will participate in the labour market, irrespective of the presence of a minor child in the household. Females who gave birth for the first time when they were 25 years or older also showed increased levels of participation.

This type of in-depth analysis provides a useful tool for policymakers and planners to ensure that conditions conducive to the participation of women in the economy are created.

Download full report here