Band 9: The graph below shows the percentage of female workers and workers age 50 or above in the UK workforce. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The provided graph delineates the changes in the percentage of female workers and workers aged 50 or above in the UK workforce from 1971 to 2019.

Overall, the proportion of women in the workforce experienced a steady increase, rising from 37% in 1971 to 47% in 2019. Conversely, the proportion of workers aged 50 or above also gradually increased, climbing from 21% in 1971 to 32% in 2019.

Looking at the details, it is evident that the proportion of female workers in the UK workforce showed continual growth from 1971 to 1990, reaching approximately 45%. However, the percentage remained relatively stable after 1990. In contrast, the proportion of workers aged 50 and above entering the UK workforce started at 21% in 1971 and has steadily risen to 32% since 1990.

In summary, over the 48-year period, the proportion of women in the workforce surpassed that of workers aged 50 or above, with the former showing a larger increase by 10% compared to the latter’s 11% increase over 29 years.