PARTICIPATION RATE TREND SERIES


MALES

The trend estimate of the male participation rate generally fell from 72.9% in October 1998 to 71.3% in July 2003. The trend then generally rose to 72.5% in February 2008. The trend has since generally fallen to stand at 72.2% in October 2008.

FEMALES

Apart from a decline from 54.0 in October 1998 to 53.5 in April 1999, the trend estimate of the female participation rate generally rose from 54.0% in October 1998 to 56.1% in March 2003. After falling to 55.4% in February 2004, the trend has since generally risen to stand at 58.3% in October 2008.

PERSONS

The trend estimate of the participation rate fell from 63.3% in October 1998 to 62.8% in May 1999. The trend, although fluctuating, generally rose to 65.3% in April 2008. The trend has since fallen to stand at 65.2% in October 2008.