Rapid Information. Employment and unemployment. Employment in the European Community.

Abstract

According to estimates made by the national statistical services, the civilian working population of the Community rose to 108.2 million in 1978. During the last five years, this working population increased by 2.2$ although the total population grew only marginally (+0.7$)· The activity rate (working population as a percentage of the total population) has, as a result, risen from 41.2$ in I974 to 41.7$ in I978. It is noteworthy at this rate is declining for men while the female participation in working fe continues to increase (28.6$ in 1974, 30.6$ in 1978). In spite of a continuing high level of unemployment, civilian employment increa­sed by 0.4$ in 1978, as in the previous year. This increase was greater for female employment (+ 0.7$) than for male employment (+ 0.2$). Such divergences in the trend of employment between the sexes can be noticed also in previous years; in 1975, male employment in the Community fell by 1.6$ while female employment fell by only 0.6$. In 1977, male employment was still in decline but this was more than offset by the continuing increase in female employment.