The line graph illustrates the proportion of Australians employed between 1976 and 2011 in four categories: men and women aged 18-25 and 26-34.
Overall, employment among men declined in both age groups over the 35-year period, while the rates for women showed a consistent increase. Notably, women aged 26-34 experienced the most dramatic growth, eventually surpassing younger men.
In 1976, around 75% of men aged 18-25 were employed, compared with approximately 52% of women in the same age group. Over the following decades, male employment in this category fell steadily to just under 70% by 2011. In contrast, women’s employment rose gradually, reaching about 62% by the end of the period.
For the older group (26-34 years), male employment started at over 92% in 1976 and decreased slightly to around 88% in 2011. Meanwhile, women in this age range saw a sharp increase from under 50% to nearly 80%. Around the year 2000, their employment rate overtook that of men aged 18-25, highlighting a significant shift in the Australian labour market.
In summary, while men’s employment rates declined modestly, women’s rates, particularly among those aged 26-34, rose markedly, narrowing and in some cases reversing the gender gap over the period.