Quick facts

Population

The age distribution of the female population is expected to change over the next 50 years, with an ageing population leading to a continued decline in the proportion of women aged between 12 and 24 years. In 2006 young women aged between 12 and 24 years made up 18 percent of the total female population. By 2056 it is projected that this age group will decrease to 14 percent of the female population.

The youth population is ethnically more diverse than the total New Zealand population. In 2006, 18 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 years identified themselves as Māori, compared with 14 percent of the total female population. Nine percent young women identified themselves as Pacific, compared with 7 percent of all women. In 2006, 14 percent of young women identified themselves as Asian, compared with 9 percent of the total population.

Paid work

Young women’s engagement with the labour force differs considerably from that of young men and women overall. In 2006, 30 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 were employed full-time in 2006. This is significantly less than young men aged 15 to 24 years (42 percent), and all women aged 15 years and over (39 percent). In 2006 young women were also more likely to be working working part-time (25 percent) than young men (18 percent) and all women (20 percent).

Of those young women in paid work in 2006, 42 percent worked in the retail and hospitality sectors, compared with 27 percent of young men, and 20 percent of all women.

Young people are more likely than other age groups to be unemployed, but there was no difference in the unemployment rate between young women and young men in 2006.

Unpaid work

Young women are more likely to be participating in unpaid work than young men. In 2006, 86 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 years participated in at least one unpaid activity compared with 76 percent of young men aged 15 to 24 years.

Young women, however, are less likely to be participating in unpaid work than women overall, with 92 percent of women aged 15 years and over undertaking some form of unpaid work in 2006.

Income

Young women earn significantly less than young men and women overall. In 2006, the median annual income for young women aged 15 to 19 years and 20 to 24 years was $2,800 and $16,400 respectively. In comparison, the median annual income for young men aged 15 to 19 years and 20 to 24 years was $3,400 and $21,500 respectively. For all women aged 15 years or older, the median annual income was $19,100 in 2006.

Education

Young women are more likely to be studying than young men. In 2006, 55 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 years were participating in some form of education, compared with 50 percent of young men aged 15 to 24 years.

Young women are also more likely to hold a post-school qualification than young men. In 2006, 34 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 years held a post-school qualification, compared with 31 percent of young men aged 15 to 24 years.

Health

The proportion of women with a potentially hazardous drinking pattern is highest for those aged 18 to 24 years. In 2006/07, 32 percent of young women aged 18 to 24 years had a hazardous drinking pattern, compared with 12 percent of all women. Hazardous drinking was more prevalent among young men aged 18 to 24 years (54 percent).

The prevalence of mood disorder is greater among young women than young men. In 2006/07, 9 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 years had been diagnosed with a mood disorder, compared with 5 percent of young men aged 15 to 24. For all women aged 15 years and over, 13 percent had been diagnosed with a mood disorder in 2006/07.

Young women are more likely to be obese than young men. In 2006/07, 16 percent of young women aged 15 to 24 years were obese, compared with 13 percent of young men aged 15 to 24 years. However, obesity is less prevalent among women aged 15 to 24 than women in any other age group.

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Last updated April 2009