The table illustrates changes in the proportions of males and females engaging in different occupations in New Zealand in 1993 and 2003.
As shown, the proportion of males selecting IT took the lead in both years, although it showed a steady decrease from 80% in 1993 to 70% in 2003, whereas that of females experienced an opposite trend, increasing from 20% to 30%. A similar trajectory was observed in farming, where the figure for men decreased from 75% in 1993 to 65% in 2003, and that for women rose from 25% to 35% by 2003. In manufacturing and building industries, males started with proportions of 55% and 68%, eventually dropping to 52% and 60%, respectively. By contrast, females recorded opposite trends with same amplitudes as males’ in both sectors, climbing from 45% and 32% in 1993 to 48% and 40% in 2003.
Conversely, in commerce and services sectors, males and females exhibited distinct changes. The percentage of males in services saw a dramatic increase, nearly tripling from 14% to 40% by 2003, consistently recording the lowest figures in both years, while females experienced a drop of 25% (from 85% to 60%) during the same period. The changes in commerce were relatively milder, with the figure for males increasing from 45% to 50% and that for females decreasing from 50% to 45%.
Overall, males and females experienced distinct preferences for job choices throughout the period. A majority of females opted for the services industry, while most males selected IT.