The bar charts compare the proportions of male and female employees aged 60-64 in four countries -Belgium, USA, Japan and Indonesia- in 1970 and 2000.
Overall, employment rates for both genders, in all countries, exhibited downward figures. Belgium recorded by far the largest decline among both men and women workers, while the reverse was true about Japan. Notably, the US accounted for the largest figures, although experiencing a noticeable decline.
In 1970, the US made up the largest proportions for both genders, at about 86% of male and 78% of female employees, respectively. The figures were closely followed by Indonesia where 84% of men and 65% of women were employed. The other two countries registered nearly identical figures. Men employees, aged 60-64, in Belgium and Japan had a 3-percentage point gap, with employment rates hovering at 79% and 76%. In terms of women, participating in the workforce, the gap widened to 7%, recording 63% and 56% respectively.
By 2000, there had been noticeable changes in employment rates. Starting with male workers, the USA accounted for the highest employment rates, though the figures dropped to approximately 78%, this was followed by Indonesia whose figure fell to 74%. The remaining countries, meanwhile, registered dramatic declines, particularly Belgium, whose employment rate fell by 27%, to 52%. With regard to women’s employment rates, a slightly different pattern was observed, with figures being under 50%. Indonesia’s proportion edged downwards to 50%. Japan and the USA had mirrored each other’s female employment rates, with figures dropping to 47% and 45%, respectively. Belgium, however, recorded by far the most considerable fall from 63% to just 8%.