Question

Labor force participation rates of women by age, 1950

and 1998
900
28
77.1
762
200
1950 195
635
58
512
409
31
329
34.
500
40
00395
306
200
100
00
16 and
older
16 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 4
45 to 5+
55 to 64
65 and
older
Based on the information provided in the chart, which statement is correct?
O Women younger than sixty-four have increased in the labor force since the 1950s.
O Women of all age groups have declined in the workforce since the 1950s.
O Women in the labor force have increased in all age groups from the 1950s.
O Very few women of any age group have increased in the work force from the 1950s.

Answer 1

I would say C

Changes in women’s labor force participation in the 20th century

February 16, 2000

In 1950 about one in three women participated in the labor force. By 1998, nearly three of every five women of working age were in the labor force. Among women age 16 and over, the labor force participation rate was 33.9 percent in 1950, compared with 59.8 percent in 1998.

Labor force participation rates of women by age, 1950 and 1998

[Chart data—TXT]

Changes in labor force participation varied by age group. The biggest increase in labor force participation was among those age 25 to 34—their rate more than doubled, from a level of 34.0 percent in 1950 to 76.3 percent in 1998. Also, in 1950 women age 16 to 24 had the highest labor force participation rate (43.9 percent); in 1998 women age 35 to 44 had the highest rate (77.1 percent), followed closely by those age 25 to 34 (76.3 percent) and those age 45 to 54 (76.2 percent).