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2. Employment of fathers and mothers remained almost unchanged during the economic downturn

As a result of the economic downturn that began towards the end of 2008, men's unemployment increased more than women's did. Nevertheless, employment of parents of underage children stayed nearly unchanged. The temporary lay-offs, redundancies and job losses, which followed from the recession, affected more men without children than fathers of under 18-year-old children. Fathers of families with children have remained firmly in working life and their employment rate has stayed high and unemployment rate low despite the recession. (Figures 1 and 2 and Appendix tables 1–6.)

Figure 1. Employment rates for 20 to 59-year-old fathers and men without children in 2004-2011

Figure 2. Unemployment rates for 20 to 59-year-old fathers and men without children in 2004-2011

Unlike with men, the difference between the employment rates for women without children and for mothers was very small. The employment rates of mothers aged 20 to 59 and women without children in the same age group have remained between good 70 per cent and close on 80 per cent. The effect of the economic downturn on women's employment rates was also considerably smaller than for men. (Figure 3.) Compared with mothers of children aged under 18, the unemployment rate of women without children has been somewhat greater. However, the unemployment rate of women without children has been smaller than that of men without children of the same age. (Figure 4.)

Figure 3. Employment rates for 20 to 59-year-old mothers and women without children in 2004-2011

Figure 4.Unemployment rates for 20 to 59-year-old mothers and women without children in 2004-2011

Source: Labour Force Survey 2011. Statistics Finland

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Director in charge: Riitta Harala

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Updated 11.9.2012