Pacific peoples in the labour force
Sixty-five percent of adults (people aged 15 years and over) of Pacific ethnicity were in the labour force in 2006 (107,613 people).
Men were more likely to be in the labour force than women:
- 71 percent of Pacific men were in the labour force compared with 59 percent of Pacific women.
The percentage of those in the labour force who were unemployed has fallen:
- 16 percent were unemployed in 2001.
- 11 percent were unemployed in 2006.
Work and Labour Force Status for Pacific Peoples Aged 15 Years and Over
2001 and 2006 Censuses |
| |
2001 |
2006 |
| |
Number |
Number |
| Employed full time |
61,392 |
77,523 |
| Employed part time |
15,960 |
18,567 |
| Total employed |
77,352 |
96,087 |
| Unemployed |
14,910 |
11,526 |
| Total labour force |
92,262 |
107,613 |
| Not in the labour force |
49,389 |
58,017 |
| Total |
141,651 |
165,630 |
| Labour force participation rate (%) |
65.1 |
65.0 |
| Unemployment rate (%) |
16.2 |
10.7 |
Rise in employment for Pacific peoples aged 15 to 64 years
For Pacific peoples aged 15 to 64 years who were in the labour force, the percentage employed has increased:
- 84 percent were employed in 2001 (76,713 people).
- 89 percent were employed in 2006 (94,695 people).
This increase in employment was related to an increase in full-time employment.
Most employed Pacific peoples aged 15 to 64 years were in full-time employment (81 percent in 2006).
Occupations of Pacific peoples
There were differences between the occupations of men and women of Pacific ethnicity.
Men were most likely to be employed as:
- Labourers (23 percent).
- Machinery operators and drivers (21 percent).
- Technicians and trades workers (20 percent).
The occupations of women of Pacific ethnicity showed greater diversity than those of men. Women were equally likely to be employed as:
- Clerical and administrative workers (19 percent) or labourers (19 percent).
- Professionals (15 percent) or community and personal service workers (15 percent).
Note: People who are employed full time usually work 30 hours or more per week, while people who are employed part time usually work fewer than 30 hours per week.
People not in the labour force include those people aged 15 years and over who are neither employed nor unemployed (for example, retired people, students, people with personal and family responsibilities, people unable to work for medical reasons, and those not actively seeking work).