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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug 10, 2020
Contact: Keri Potts | 202-785-5100 | potts@iwpr.org
Washington, D.C.—New jobs figures from July show much less job growth than in the previous month, and while women were the majority of those who gained jobs, they continue to face a higher jobs deficit than men. In addition, concerning disparities continue by race, ethnicity, and age:
- Women’s payroll jobs are 6.9 million (9 percent) below pre-COVID levels; men’s are 6 million (7.8 percent) lower.
- The unemployment rate is higher for White women (9.6 percent) than White men (8.3 percent), and Hispanic women (14.0 percent) than Hispanic men (11.4 percent). Black women’s unemployment rate saw the lowest decline, from 14.0 percent in June to 13.5 percent in July. The unemployment rate for Asian workers age 20 and older fell to 12.0 percent (data not published by gender).
- Child day care services added 45,000 jobs, but overall employment in this sector is still at just 79 percent of its February level, highlighting the difficulties for many mothers, in returning to work.
- Of note, young women ages 20-24 are experiencing almost double the unemployment for older women. This age group includes many recent college graduates or students looking for summer jobs to fund themselves through college.
About the Institute for Women’s Policy Research
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research is the nation’s pre-eminent think tank committed to winning economic equity for all women and eliminating structural and institutional barriers to women’s full participation in the workforce and society.
IWPR builds knowledge and evidence to support policies that help grow women’s economic power and influence in society, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic security and well-being of families.
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