The bar chart compares the employment rates of men and women in six countries – Australia, Switzerland, Iceland, the UK, New Zealand, and the USA – in the years 1995 and 2005.
Overall, the proportion of employed people increased in all six countries over the ten-year period, and male employment was consistently higher than female employment in every country. Among the six, Iceland recorded the highest male employment rate, while Switzerland had the highest proportion of working women.
In 1995, around 70% of men in Australia, Switzerland, and the USA were employed, compared to approximately 80% in Iceland, which was the highest figure that year. The lowest male employment rate, just under 60%, was observed in New Zealand. By 2005, the percentage of working men had risen in every country, reaching about 85% in Iceland and over 70% in most others.
A similar upward trend can be seen among women. In 1995, female employment ranged from about 25% in New Zealand to roughly 55% in Switzerland. Over the following decade, women’s employment grew markedly, climbing to around 45-70% by 2005. Switzerland continued to lead in female employment, with about 70% of women in work, while New Zealand and the USA still had the lowest figures despite notable improvements.
In summary, all six nations experienced growth in employment rates between 1995 and 2005, with men maintaining higher levels of employment overall and Switzerland and Iceland showing particularly strong labour market participation.