People outside the labour force: declining inactivity rates

Since 1999 the share of inactive persons in the total population of 15-64 years old has dropped from 31.8% to 30.4% in 2004. The inactivity rate of women in this period fell from 40.6% to 37.6%, while inactivity rate of men remained relatively stable, 23% in 1999 and 22.6% in 2004. Care of children and family responsibilities are the main explanatory factors behind the different inactivity rates of the sexes. These are the results of the European Union Labour Force survey. The publication analyses also the inactivity rate in relation to age, reasons for inactivity, willingness to work, education and family situation.