Number of Women's Jobs Approaching Pre-Recession Level

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to IWPR analysis of the August employment report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth slowed in July for men, but accelerated slightly for women. Of the 162,000 total jobs added to nonfarm payrolls in July, women gained 117,000 jobs (72 percent) while men gained 45,000 jobs (28 percent). In June women gained 102,000 jobs and men gained 86,000 jobs.

Women's employment growth in July was aided by growth in Professional and Business Services (44,000 jobs added for women), Retail Trade (29,500 jobs added for women), and Leisure and Hospitality (16,000 jobs added for women).

IWPR analysis of the BLS payroll data shows as of July, women have regained 96 percent (2.6 million) of the total jobs they lost in the recession from December 2007 to the trough for women's employment in September 2010 (2.7 million). Men have regained more than 69 percent (4.2 million) of the jobs they lost between December 2007 and the trough for men's employment in February 2010 (6 million). In the last year, from July 2012 to July 2013, of the 2.3 million jobs added to payrolls, 1.2 million or 52 percent were filled by women, and 1.1 million or 48 percent were filled by men. The gap between women's and men's employment is 1.6 million jobs in July, substantially less than at the start of the recession (3.4 million jobs in December 2007).

According to the household survey data reported by the BLS, the unemployment rate for women aged 16 and older decreased to 7.0 percent in July from 7.3 percent in June. The unemployment rate for men aged 16 and older declined slightly from 7.8 percent in June to 7.7 percent in July. Among single mothers (female heads of households), the unemployment rate fell to 10.5 percent in July from 10.7 percent in June.

As of July, 11.5 million workers remain unemployed. There has been improvement over the past year in the average (mean) number of weeks spent unemployed and looking for work from 38.8 weeks in July 2012 to 36.6 weeks in July 2013.

The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) conducts rigorous research and disseminates its findings to address the needs of women and families, promote public dialogue, and strengthen communities and societies.

SOURCE Institute for Women's Policy Research