The table illustrates the percentage of employment in 6 distinct fields in New Zealand from 1993 to 2003 in a 10-year interval, characterized by genders.
Overall, most fields experienced an increase in the employment rate of the male workforce, while the opposite trajectory could be seen in the female workforce, with the exception of business, building and social services. Notably, services and transport still accounted for the largest proportion of the total employment of both genders in 1993 and 2003.
In 1993, services and transport accounted for 53% of the female workforce and 22% of male workers before culminating at 36% and 31% in 2003, respectively, securing its top position among surveyed categories. Similarly, only 12% women in the workforce were employed in the manufacturing sector in 2003, down from 25% in 1993, whereas their counterparts’ employment rate rose by 1% to 17% in the same year. Conversely, the percentage of men and women working in business increased considerably from 1% and 7% to approximately 23% in 2003.
Starting at 8% and 38% in 1993, the employment rate of females and males in agriculture subsequently declined to 6% and 8%, making it the least common surveyed sector. In contrast, building and social services both recorded a growing interest of both genders, as the percentage of total employment in building rose from 12% to 16%, with 6% of females and 10% of males employed in this sector and the latter went upward from 13% and 5% to peak at 18% and 9% in 2003.