Number of mothers in work at record high

Figures show 75pc of mums have jobs but ‘women still face barriers, and many men don’t take parental leave’

The number of working mothers has risen to a record high, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which show that more than three-quarters now have jobs. The ONS data reveals that the number of mothers in the labour market has grown substantially over the past 20 years.

THE number of working mothers has risen to a record high, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which show that more than three-quarters now have jobs.

The ONS data reveals that the number of mothers in the labour market has grown substantially over the past 20 years.

In 2000, 66.2 per cent of mothers were in employment but by 2019, that figure rose to 75.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, the percentage of fathers in the labour market has also risen over the past two decades – from 89.4 per cent of fathers in 2000 to 92.6 per cent in 2019.

Maxine Benson, co-founder of Everywoman, an organisation which helps to support the advancement of women in business, said the statistics show great progress for mothers in the workplace, but warned that there are still plenty of existing “barriers”.

Ms Benson said: “These statistical trends show the positive impact of a sustained and consistent commitment to ensure that more women can continue to participate in the workplace after having children.

“Wanting to be a mum should never have to be at the sacrifice of wanting to thrive in a rewarding job.

“However, there are still barriers preventing many women having a career, but likewise there are still too many men who don’t feel empowered to take parental leave.

“But this societal challenge can be overcome, for the benefit of all, not least our children,” said Ms Benson.

The ONS data also showed that over the past 20 years, fathers have consistently had a higher employment rate than men without dependent children.

Furthermore, almost three in 10 mothers (28.5 per cent) with a child aged 14 years and under said that they

‘Wanting to be a mum should never have to be at the sacrifice of wanting to thrive in a rewarding job’

had reduced their working hours for childcare reasons.

This compared with one in 20 fathers (4.8 per cent). When looking at women and men without dependent children, there were 70.6 per cent of women in employment in 2019, compared with 66.7 per cent in 2000. In comparison, 73.5 per cent of men without dependent children were in work in 2019, compared with 74 per cent in 2000.

Tim Vizard, of the policy evidence and analysis team at the Office for National Statistics, said: “In 2019, threequarters of mothers with dependent children were in work, up from twothirds of mothers at the start of the century. In comparison, over nine in 10 fathers were working.

“Many parents make changes to their work to help balance work and family life.”