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

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