FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2020

Contact: Lea Woods | 202-785-5100 | [email protected]

Looming Economic Downturn Will Hit Women Hardest as They Make Up Majority of Job Losses Across All But Three Sectors

Since March, Women lost nearly 6 out of every 10 jobs across all sectors, with the service sector most impacted. Job loss among women were highest in retail and leisure and hospitality at 396,000.

Washington, DC — Employment data released on April 3, 2020 show dramatic job losses and sharp rises in unemployment for both men and women since February. Women’s losses outnumbered men’s in almost all sectors of the economy. The biggest losses were experienced in Leisure and Hospitality where women’s payroll employment fell by 261,000 compared with a drop in employment for men of 181,000.

Women also disproportionately loss jobs in the retail sectors, professional and business services, and Non-Durable Manufacturing. Men lost more jobs in just three sectors—Wholesale Trade, Mining and Logging.

The loss of jobs in sectors dominated by women will have a devastating impact of families, especially those headed by single mothers or where women are the primary or co-breadwinner. One in two of more than 30 million families in the U.S. with children under the age of 18 have a breadwinner mother, who contributes at least 40 percent of her earnings to the household.

Top 5 sectors with biggest job losses for women

Leisure and Hospitality (261,000)
Retail Trade (35,000)
Professional and Business Services (29,000)
Other Services (13,000)
Non-Durable Goods and Services (8,000)

“During the 2008 recession, production sectors—manufacturing and construction—and men were the first to be hit. This time around because women are over-represented in the service sector, they will experience disproportionately higher unemployment and job loss compared to men,” said C. Nicole Mason, PhD, President and CEO of IWPR. “Service sectors jobs tend to pay lower wages and have fewer benefits like healthcare, which makes women more economically vulnerable.”

About the Institute for Women’s Policy Research

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that conducts and communicates research to inspire public dialogue, shape policy, and improve the lives and opportunities of women of diverse backgrounds, circumstances, and experiences.

Institute for Women's Policy Research

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Institute for Women's Policy Research
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