Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/IAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV
ESRI

The number of women in the workforce is likely to go up a lot in the next few years

In general, the percentage of women in the workforce had risen hugely since the early 1990s.

THE NUMBER OF women in the Irish workforce is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, according to new research published today.

A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found that a recent rise in the educational attainment of women will mostly likely lead to more working.

In general, the percentage of women in the workforce had risen hugely since the early 1990s.

In 1992, 48% of women aged 20-64 were in the workforce, compared to 67% in 2007.

This contrasts with the level of men, which has stayed mostly constant in that same period.

Increases in educational attainment and how this resulted in better salary expectancy, as well as cultural changes are credited with this increase.

Since 2007, the level of women working has stabilised, with 68% of women aged 20-64 in the labour force in 2015.

Now, according to the research, the educational achievement of women has risen since the economic crisis and is expected to continue to rise over the next decade.

The ESRI states that this will result in greater numbers participating in the labour force, particularly among women over 40 years of age.

When this is combined with the rising population, an increase of 1.5% to 2% is expected per year.

The research is published in full here

Read: Teachers in charge of Ireland’s special needs classes not always qualified

Read: Young people in Ireland are more likely to have quality of life problems

Your Voice
Readers Comments
32
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.