LABOUR FORCE


CONTENTS

Employed persons

Unemployment

Participation rate


EMPLOYED PERSONS

In trend terms, the total number of persons employed in South Australia in November 2010 (815,600) was marginally higher than the estimate for October 2010 (815,100). The increase of 0.1% represents the seventh consecutive monthly increase, and an increase of 1.6% over the estimate recorded in November 2009 (802,400). Nationally, a total of 11,390,100 persons were employed in November 2010; an increase of 3.2% over the corresponding month of the previous year.

The number of males employed full-time in South Australia increased to 364,700 (in trend terms) in November 2010. Looking at the composition of all male employees, those working full-time accounted for 83.2% of the male workforce, up from 80.8% in November 2009. The number of females employed full-time increased for the thirteenth consecutive month and was 192,600 in November 2010; 6.0% higher than the corresponding month of the previous year. At that time full-time female employees accounted for 49.3% and by November 2010 this proportion had risen to 51.1%.


UNEMPLOYMENT

South Australia's trend unemployment rate rose to 5.6% in November 2010, continuing the general upward trend seen throughout 2010. The estimate remains above the national unemployment rate for the seventh consecutive month, with Australia's unemployment rate (in trend terms) relatively steady over this time. After falling from a peak of 5.8% in mid 2009, the Australian estimate rose marginally in November 2010 to 5.3%.

From a low of 5.1% in early 2010, the trend unemployment rate for South Australian males has generally risen, but in November 2010, the estimate held steady at 5.7%. In comparison, the trend unemployment rate for South Australian females has fluctuated over the same period, increasing in November 2010 to 5.5%. The female unemployment rate remains below the male rate for the fifth consecutive month.

Nationally, the trend unemployment rates for males and females in November 2010 remained steady at 5.0% and 5.5% respectively.

PARTICIPATION RATE

Following a period of relative stability, the trend estimate of the participation rate for South Australia has generally risen reaching 63.7% in November 2010. Australia's trend participation rate has followed a similar pattern over the same period and was 65.9% in November.

In South Australia, the participation rate for males has remained relatively stable over recent months and was 69.9% in November 2010. The Australian participation rate for males has gradually risen over the same period to 72.9% in November. The participation rate for South Australian females has risen for the last nine consecutive months, reaching 57.7% in November 2010. The Australian female participation rate also rose in November to 59.2%.