Band 8+: The charts below show employment rates of males and females of different ages and the average age of their youngest child in the UK in 2008. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The bar charts give information about the employment rates of various ages as well as the average age of their youngest child in the UK during 2008.

Overall, middle-aged people represented the largest group of people being employed in both genders. In terms of their offspring, when their youngest child was at an extremely young age, men were consistently more likely to have employment than women.

Looking at the rates of employees, it is evident that the proportion of employed female middle age brackets (from 26 to 59) remained stable from 70% in the age of 26-34 then peaked at 80% in their late middle age (50-59). This pattern was slightly higher than the corresponding male figure with about over 60% in early adulthood to just nearly 80%. However, both genders were not likely to be employed in age groups of 16-25 and 60+. While the percentage of female employees were around 15% and nearly 30% respectively, male’s proportions were relatively higher at 20% and almost 40%.

Regarding the influence of the youngest child’s age exerted on employment rates, it can be seen that the employment levels were highest when their offspring reached adulthood, with about 70% and lowest when children aged 0-5, with 60% for both genders. However, the younger their youngest child was, the lower percentage of mothers joining the labor force was. When the youngest offspring was in their teenage phase, women being employed rates ranged from 55% to just nearly 70%, while male counterparts stabilized at 75%.