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Fundamental to the measurement of employment and unemployment is the concept of the labour force, defined as those persons aged 15 and over who, during a particular week, are either employed or unemployed. The labour force represents the key official measure of the total supply of labour available to the labour market during a given week.
This section presents statistics on the civilian labour force drawn from the monthly Labour Force Survey and supplementary surveys. The household surveys contain a series of questions to classify the population according to the framework presented in diagram 6.2. This framework is the basis for determining whether persons are employed, unemployed or not in the labour force. Further details concerning the scope, coverage and survey methods of the labour force and supplementary surveys (as well as more detailed statistics) can be found in Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2001 (6102.0), or the other publications listed in the Bibliography.
6.2 THE AUSTRALIAN LABOUR FORCE FRAMEWORK
Characteristics of the labour force
The size and composition of the labour force are not static over time. Changes in the size of the labour force are caused by changes in the rate of labour force participation as well as changes in the population aged 15 and over.
Population increase has made a steady contribution to labour force growth as a result of net migration and natural increase (1.4% in 2000-01). However, from 1997-98 to 2000-01, the contribution due to labour force participation has risen from -0.5% to 0.5%.
6.3 LABOUR FORCE, Components of Change, Annual Average
|
| | 1995-96
% | 1996-97
% | 1997-98
% | 1998-99
% | 1999-00
% | 2000-01
% |
|
MALES |
|
| Percentage change in labour force | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Percentage points change due to - |  | | | | | |
| - Population growth | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| - Labour force participation | 0.1 | -0.6 | -0.6 | -0.3 | -0.3 | -0.1 |
|
FEMALES |
|
| | | | | | |
| Percentage change in labour force | 2.7 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Percentage points change due to - | | | | | | |
| - Population growth | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| - Labour force participation | 1.1 | 0.1 | -0.4 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
|
PERSONS |
|
| Percentage change in labour force | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Percentage points change due to - | | | | | | |
| - Population growth | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| - Labour force participation | 0.5 | -0.3 | -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
|
| Source: ABS data available on request, Labour Force Survey. |
The participation rate is one of the most important indicators relating to the labour force. It represents the proportion of the population aged 15 and over who are in the labour force. Analysis of participation rates, particularly in terms of age, sex and marital status, provides the basis for monitoring changes in the size and composition of labour supply. The annual average participation rate for males has been declining for some time, and in 2000-01 it was 73%. In contrast, the female participation rate has increased to 55% in 2000-01 (graph 6.4).
Table 6.5 shows changes in labour force status between 1995-96 and 2000-01. Notable features include a steady increase in employment for both males and females. Over this period, the male unemployment rate decreased from 8.5% in 1995-96 to 6.7% in 2000-01. The female unemployment rate decreased from 7.6% in 1995-96 to 6.0% in 2000-01.
6.5 CIVILIAN POPULATION AGED 15 AND OVER, Labour Force Status, Annual Average
|
| | Units | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-00 | 2000-01 |
| | | | | | | |
|
MALES |
|
| Employed | ’000 | 4,278.8 | 4,766.3 | 4,828.3 | 4,923.7 | 5,033.2 | 5,106.0 |
| Unemployed - | | | | | | | |
| - Looking for full-time work | ’000 | 392.7 | 395.4 | 380.7 | 352.3 | 307.7 | 308.8 |
| - Looking for part-time work | ’000 | 47.1 | 52.3 | 52.9 | 52.1 | 56.1 | 57.0 |
| - Total unemployed | ’000 | 439.8 | 447.7 | 433.7 | 404.4 | 363.8 | 365.8 |
| Labour force | ’000 | 5,168.6 | 5,214.0 | 5,262.0 | 5,328.0 | 5,397.0 | 5,471.8 |
| Not in the labour force | ’000 | 1,836.4 | 1,894.4 | 1,952.3 | 1,995.7 | 2,044.2 | 2,078.4 |
| Civilian population | ’000 | 7,004.9 | 7,108.4 | 7,214.3 | 7,323.7 | 7,441.1 | 7,550.2 |
| Unemployment rate | % | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 7.6 | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| Participation rate | % | 73.8 | 73.4 | 72.9 | 72.8 | 72.5 | 72.5 |
|
FEMALES |
|
| Employed | ’000 | 3,595.4 | 3,637.7 | 3,690.3 | 3,779.7 | 3,906.7 | 4,023.9 |
| Unemployed - | | | | | | | |
| - Looking for full-time work | ’000 | 208.4 | 221.2 | 212.8 | 192.5 | 177.0 | 163.7 |
| - Looking for part-time work | ’000 | 88.4 | 96.1 | 91.4 | 94.8 | 93.7 | 95.9 |
| - Total unemployed | ’000 | 296.7 | 317.2 | 304.2 | 287.3 | 270.7 | 259.7 |
| Labour force | ’000 | 3,892.1 | 3,954.9 | 3,994.4 | 4,067.0 | 4,177.4 | 4,283.6 |
| Not in the labour force | ’000 | 3,345.6 | 3,392.0 | 3,456.1 | 3,488.3 | 3,488.4 | 3,483.6 |
| Civilian population | ’000 | 7,237.7 | 7,347.0 | 7,450.5 | 7,555.3 | 7,665.8 | 7,767.2 |
| Unemployment rate | % | 7.6 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 7.1 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Participation rate | % | 53.8 | 53.8 | 53.6 | 53.8 | 54.5 | 55.2 |
|
PERSONS |
|
| Employed | ’000 | 8,324.2 | 8,404.0 | 8,518.6 | 8,703.4 | 8,939.9 | 9,129.9 |
| Unemployed - | | | | | | | |
| - Looking for full-time work | ’000 | 601.1 | 616.5 | 593.5 | 544.7 | 484.6 | 472.5 |
| - Looking for part-time work | ’000 | 135.4 | 148.4 | 144.3 | 146.9 | 149.8 | 153.0 |
| - Total unemployed | ’000 | 736.5 | 764.9 | 737.8 | 691.7 | 634.5 | 625.5 |
| Labour force | ’000 | 9,060.7 | 9,168.9 | 9,256.4 | 9,395.0 | 9,574.3 | 9,755.4 |
| Not in the labour force | ’000 | 5,181.9 | 5,286.4 | 5,408.4 | 5,484.0 | 5,532.6 | 5,562.0 |
| Civilian population | ’000 | 14,242.6 | 14,455.3 | 14,664.8 | 14,879.0 | 15,106.9 | 15,317.4 |
| Unemployment rate | % | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.0 | 7.4 | 6.6 | 6.4 |
| Participation rate | % | 63.6 | 63.4 | 63.1 | 63.1 | 63.4 | 63.7 |
|
| Source: Labour Force Australia (6203.0). |
In 2000-01 the labour force participation rate for persons born overseas was 58%, compared with a participation rate of 67% for persons born in Australia. For persons born in other than main English-speaking countries the participation rate was 54%, compared with 65% for persons born in main English-speaking countries (table 6.6).
6.6 CIVILIAN LABOUR FORCE, By Birthplace, Annual Average(a) - 2000-01
|
| | Employed
| | Unemployed
| | | |
| Full-time
workers
’000 | Total
’000 | | Looking
for
full-time
work
’000 | Total
’000 | Total
labour
force
’000 | Unemploy-
ment
rate
% | Participation
rate(b)
% |
|
| Born in Australia | 4,982.5 | 6,877.3 | | 348.2 | 478.9 | 7,356.2 | 6.5 | 67.4 |
| Born outside Australia | | | | | | | | |
| - Main English-speaking countries | 735.4 | 967.6 | | 47.2 | 60.0 | 1,027.6 | 5.8 | 64.5 |
| - Other than main English-speaking countries | 969.5 | 1,265.6 | | 82.9 | 108.8 | 1,374.4 | 7.9 | 54.0 |
| - Oceania | 239.1 | 307.5 | | 20.6 | 25.7 | 333.2 | 7.7 | 75.9 |
| - Europe and the former USSR | 835.9 | 1,099.0 | | 53.9 | 67.8 | 1,166.7 | 5.8 | 52.6 |
| - The Middle East and North Africa | 79.2 | 105.3 | | 12.7 | 15.3 | 120.5 | 12.7 | 49.9 |
| - South-East Asia | 211.9 | 272.4 | | 19.8 | 27.0 | 299.5 | 9.0 | 62.1 |
| - North-East Asia | 109.0 | 145.6 | | 6.9 | 10.0 | 155.6 | 6.4 | 53.5 |
| - Northern-America | 37.9 | 49.3 | | 1.8 | 2.6 | 51.8 | 4.9 | 70.3 |
| - Other | 191.9 | 253.8 | | 14.3 | 20.5 | 274.3 | 7.5 | 69.8 |
| Total born outside Australia | 1,704.9 | 2,233.2 | | 130.0 | 168.8 | 2,402.0 | 7.0 | 58.0 |
| Total | 6,687.4 | 9,110.5 | | 478.2 | 647.7 | 9,758.1 | 6.6 | 64.8 |
|
(a) Data have not been revised to reflect definitional changes in the Labour Force Survey questionnaire introduced in April 2001. Data collected from April 2001 onwards are not strictly comparable with data collected in earlier periods. For further information, see Information Paper: Implementing the Redesigned Labour Force Survey Questionnaire (6295.0).
(b) Participation rate calculated using population estimates which exclude those in institutions. |
Source: Labour Force Australia (6203.0). |
Table 6.7 provides an overview of labour force status of persons at June 2001, according to the family relationship within households. Notable features include: for couple families with dependants present, 83% of husbands were employed full-time, compared with 27% of wives (with a further 36% of wives employed part-time). Some 61% of male lone parents were employed full-time compared with 21% of female lone parents. The unemployment rate for husbands or wives was lower than for all other groups.
6.7 LABOUR FORCE STATUS, Relationship in Household(a)(b) - June 2001
|
| Employed
| Unemployed
| | | | | |
| Full-time
’000 | Total
’000 | Looking
for
full-time
work
’000 | Total
’000 | Labour
force
’000 | Not in
labour
force
’000 | Civilian
population
aged 15
and over
’000 | Unemploy-
ment
rate
% | Participation
rate
% |
|
MALES |
|
| Family member | 3,557.1 | 4,147.4 | 231.2 | 279.7 | 4,427.1 | 1,554.1 | 5,981.2 | 6.3 | 74.0 |
| Husband - | | | | | | | | | |
| - With dependants | 1,727.6 | 1,847.8 | 74.5 | 80.1 | 1,927.9 | 159.2 | 2,087.2 | 4.2 | 92.4 |
| - Without dependants | 1,174.1 | 1,339.2 | 51.1 | 57.1 | 1,396.3 | 951.7 | 2,348.0 | 4.1 | 59.5 |
| - Total | 2,902.0 | 3,187.0 | 125.6 | 137.3 | 3,324.3 | 1,110.9 | 4,435.2 | 4.1 | 75.0 |
| Lone parent - | | | | | | | | | |
| - With dependants | 43.5 | 50.0 | *4.7 | *5.4 | 55.4 | 16.0 | 71.2 | 9.7 | 77.8 |
| - Without dependants | 21.2 | 24.1 | *2.8 | *2.8 | 26.9 | 21.6 | 48.4 | *10.4 | 55.5 |
| - Total | 64.7 | 74.1 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 82.3 | 37.5 | 119.8 | 10.0 | 68.7 |
| Dependent student(c) | 4.9 | 188.0 | *3.7 | 31.1 | 219.2 | 257.5 | 476.7 | 14.2 | 46.0 |
| Non-dependent child(d) | 508.3 | 605.2 | 83.7 | 90.4 | 695.6 | 96.7 | 792.3 | 13.0 | 87.8 |
| Other family person | 77.3 | 93.0 | 10.8 | 12.7 | 105.8 | 51.4 | 157.2 | 12.0 | 67.3 |
| Non-family member - | 669.9 | 787.1 | 68.9 | 77.1 | 864.2 | 375.3 | 1,239.6 | 8.9 | 69.7 |
| - Lone person | 393.3 | 452.7 | 38.4 | 41.8 | 494.6 | 284.0 | 778.5 | 8.5 | 63.5 |
| - Not living alone | 276.6 | 334.4 | 30.5 | 35.3 | 369.7 | 91.4 | 461.0 | 9.6 | 80.2 |
| Total | 4,227.1 | 4,934.5 | 300.1 | 356.9 | 5,291.4 | 1,929.4 | 7,220.8 | 6.7 | 73.3 |
|
FEMALES |
|
| Family member | 1,737.0 | 3,356.0 | 141.2 | 224.0 | 3,580.0 | 2,517.4 | 6,097.3 | 6.3 | 58.7 |
| Wife - | | | | | | | | | |
| - With dependants | 529.7 | 1,240.9 | 34.1 | 58.1 | 1,299.0 | 684.7 | 1,983.7 | 4.5 | 65.5 |
| - Without dependants | 719.4 | 1,139.2 | 29.3 | 37.8 | 1,176.9 | 1,115.7 | 2,292.6 | 3.2 | 51.3 |
| - Total | 1,249.0 | 2,380.0 | 63.4 | 95.9 | 2,475.9 | 1,800.4 | 4,276.3 | 3.9 | 57.9 |
| Lone parent - | | | | | | | | | |
| - With dependants | 106.7 | 237.3 | 27.7 | 44.6 | 281.9 | 215.4 | 497.4 | 15.8 | 56.7 |
| - Without dependants | 39.3 | 58.2 | *4.0 | 5.1 | 63.3 | 112.1 | 175.4 | 8.0 | 36.1 |
| - Total | 146.0 | 295.5 | 31.7 | 49.7 | 345.2 | 327.6 | 672.8 | 14.4 | 51.3 |
| Dependent student(c) | 5.0 | 229.0 | 5.4 | 32.3 | 261.3 | 22.1 | 483.4 | 12.4 | 54.0 |
| Non-dependent child(d) | 281.7 | 369.3 | 34.4 | 38.2 | 407.5 | 57.3 | 464.8 | 9.4 | 87.7 |
| Other family person | 55.2 | 82.2 | 6.3 | 8.0 | 90.1 | 109.9 | 200.0 | 8.8 | 45.1 |
| Non-family member - | 398.8 | 549.0 | 29.5 | 40.7 | 589.7 | 647.6 | 1,237.3 | 6.9 | 47.7 |
| - Lone person | 228.1 | 310.2 | 18.0 | 25.5 | 335.8 | 577.7 | 913.2 | 7.6 | 36.8 |
| - Not living alone | 170.7 | 238.8 | 11.5 | 15.1 | 253.9 | 70.1 | 324.1 | 6.0 | 78.4 |
| Total | 2,135.7 | 3,905.0 | 170.7 | 264.7 | 4,169.6 | 3,165.0 | 7,334.6 | 6.3 | 56.8 |
|
PERSONS |
|
| Family member | 5,294.1 | 7,503.4 | 372.4 | 503.7 | 8,007.1 | 4,071.4 | 12,078.5 | 6.3 | 66.3 |
| Husband or wife - | | | | | | | | | |
| - With dependants | 2,257.3 | 3,088.7 | 108.6 | 138.2 | 3,226.9 | 844.0 | 4,070.9 | 4.3 | 79.3 |
| - Without dependants | 1,893.8 | 2,478.4 | 80.4 | 94.9 | 2,573.3 | 2,067.4 | 4,640.7 | 3.7 | 55.5 |
| - Total | 4,151.0 | 5,567.0 | 189.0 | 233.1 | 5,800.2 | 2,911.4 | 8,711.5 | 4.0 | 66.6 |
| Lone parent - | | | | | | | | | |
| - With dependants | 150.1 | 287.3 | 32.3 | 50.0 | 337.4 | 231.4 | 568.7 | 9.6 | 59.3 |
| - Without dependants | 60.5 | 82.3 | 6.8 | 7.9 | 90.2 | 133.7 | 223.9 | 8.7 | 40.3 |
| -Total | 210.6 | 369.6 | 39.1 | 57.9 | 427.5 | 365.1 | 792.6 | 13.5 | 53.9 |
| Dependent student(c) | 9.9 | 417.0 | 9.1 | 63.4 | 480.4 | 479.7 | 960.1 | 13.2 | 50.0 |
| Non-dependent child(d) | 790.0 | 974.5 | 118.0 | 128.6 | 1,103.1 | 154.0 | 1,257.1 | 11.7 | 87.7 |
| Other family person | 132.5 | 175.2 | 17.1 | 20.7 | 195.9 | 161.3 | 357.2 | 10.6 | 54.8 |
| Non-family member - | 1,068.7 | 1,336.1 | 98.4 | 117.8 | 1,453.9 | 1,022.9 | 2,476.9 | 8.1 | 58.7 |
| - Lone person | 621.4 | 763.0 | 56.4 | 67.4 | 830.3 | 861.4 | 1,691.8 | 8.1 | 49.1 |
| - Not living alone | 447.3 | 573.1 | 42.0 | 50.5 | 623.6 | 161.5 | 785.1 | 8.1 | 79.4 |
| Total | 6,362.8 | 8,839.5 | 470.9 | 621.5 | 9,461.0 | 5,094.4 | 14,555.4 | 6.6 | 65.0 |
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(a) Data have not been revised to reflect definitional changes in the Labour Force Survey questionnaire introduced in April 2001. Data collected from April 2001 onwards are not strictly comparable with data collected in earlier periods. For further information, see Information Paper: Implementing the Redesigned Labour Force Survey Questionnaire (6295.0).
(b) Excludes 850,300 persons whose family status was not determined.
(c) Excludes persons aged 20-24 attending school. Also excludes sons or daughters aged 15-24 who are classified as husbands, wives or lone parents.
(d) Aged 15 and over. |
Source: Labour Force Australia (6203.0). |
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