The unemployment rate for women in NSW has shrunk to its lowest level since monthly records began in 1978, coming in lower than the men’s unemployment rate in January.
January’s unemployment rate for women in NSW came in at 2.8 per cent, below the men’s unemployment rate which was 3.4 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The overall NSW unemployment rate was 3.1 per cent in January. NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the figures were encouraging.
“We expect our initiatives for women and childcare will support more women in employment and unlock future productivity dividends to strengthen our economy,” Kean said in a statement.
“Today’s results are encouraging considering the current national and international economic challenges we’re facing here in NSW.
The national unemployment rate has increased to 3.7 per cent.
The new figures on unemployment in NSW come as the Workplace Gender Equality Agency last week released an update on national and state gender pay gap figures. The national gender pay gap figure fell to 13.3 per cent, the lowest on record and a return to where it was years ago.
Nationally, women earn 87 cents for every $1 earned by a man, accounting for an average $253.50 less than a man’s average weekly ordinary full time earnings of $1907.10.
The NSW gender pay gap is currently 11 per cent, which was down from its previous 14.5 per cent.