Number of women in the labor market more than doubled in 53 years
Published: Thursday, Oct 17th 2024, 12:00
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According to the Federal Statistical Office, women's participation in the labor market has more than doubled in half a century. The proportion of women in employment rose from 964,000 in 1970 to 2.264 million in 2023.
This means that 46.7 percent of the working population (15 years or older) were women last year, according to a statement from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Thursday. In 1970, the figure was 33.9 percent. As the figures also show, this is accompanied by a significant increase in part-time employment among women, from 29.4% to 58% over the same period.
Overall, i.e. including men, the labor market in Switzerland grew from 2.843 to 4.848 million people between 1970 and 2023. According to FSO statistics, men made up 53.3% of the working population in 2023 with 2.584 million individuals. And the proportion of part-time work among them has also risen sharply: from 4.1% in 1970 to 19.6% last year. Together, men and women increased the proportion of the population working part-time from 12.7% to 37.6%.
The average age of the working population increased from 38.4 to 42.4 years between 1970 and 2023. According to the FSO, this increase is in line with the ageing population and the longer period of education. The number of people in employment has increased in almost all age groups. Only among 15 to 24-year-olds has it fallen: from 631,000 in 1970 to 546,000 in 2023, the FSO added.
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