The supply of and the demand for labour
4.4
The growth rate of the supply of labour is determined by the labour
labour force participation rate
(5) and the growth rate of the population of working age.
The labour force participation rate in the second quarter of 1986, at 65.4%, was higher than the rates of 64.6% recorded in the preceding quarter and of 64.9% in the second quarter of 1985. The significant increase in the second quarter compared with the preceding quarter was largely due to seasonal factors, on account of school-leavers entering the labour market for the first time.
In addition, increased activity in the manufacturing sector might have attracted some marginal workers, like housewives, to join the labour force. The population of working age also increased, by 1.0% during the second quarter of 1986. In consequence, the supply of labour increased by 1.8% during this
(6)
Comparing June 1986 with June 1985, the supply of labour recorded an increase of 2.8%.
period
/4.5
(5) The labour force participation rate is defined as the proportion of the economically active population (those working or unemployed) in the population aged 15 and over.
(6)
The total labour force and the employed population are as follows:
Quarter ending
Labour force (number)
Number of persons
employed (number)
1985 Mar
2 594 400
2 516 800
Jun
2 632 200
2 557 800
Sep
2 637 100
2 542 000
Dec
2 644 100
2 556 700
1986 Mar
2 656 000
2 572 700
Jun
2 705 000
2 624 100
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