Media release
NZ Sole Mothers - Second Lowest Employment Rate
April 26, 2005
A forthcoming Treasury paper, Labour Force Participation of Women In New Zealand, will show that New Zealand sole
mothers have the second lowest employment rate out of eighteen developed nations. Only Australia fares worse.
Petitioner for a Parliamentary review of the DPB, Lindsay Mitchell, said;
"Only thirty two percent of sole mothers with a child under six are employed."
Employment Rates for Mothers with a Child under 6 Years of Age
Sweden
Total Mothers(ranked) 75
Partnered Mothers 81
Sole Mothers 65
Portugal
72
70
83
Finland
67
58
65
Austria
67
66
76
Netherlands
66
62
39
Canada
63
70
68
Belgium
62
72
49
United States
59
61
68
France
56
57
52
United Kingdom
55
61
37
Ireland
53
46
35
Germany
52
51
50
New Zealand
47
53
32
Greece
47
48
63
Italy
47
45
72
Poland
46
50
33
Australia
45
48
30
Spain
45
42
65
Source: Johnston and White (forthcoming)
Mitchell believes, "There is a clear link between benefit levels, availability and low employment rates. If the Prime
Minister is serious about increasing the labour force participation rate of women she should focus on those who are
dependent on the taxpayer rather than a partner."
"Women should be free to choose whether or not they work but only if that choice does not rely on forcing somebody else
to fund it."
ENDS