PARTICIPATION RATE TREND SERIES


MALES

The trend estimate of the male participation rate generally fell from 73.1% in May 1997 to 71.3% in July 2003. The trend then generally rose to 72.2% in July 2005 before falling to 71.9% in February 2006. The trend has since risen to stand at 72.3% in May 2007.

FEMALES

Although fluctuating, the trend estimate of the female participation rate generally rose from 53.6% in May 1997 to 56.1% in March 2003. After falling to 55.4% in February 2004, the trend has since generally risen to stand at 57.7% in May 2007.

PERSONS

The trend estimate of the participation rate fluctuated and generally fell from 63.2% in May 1997 to 62.8% in May 1999. Although fluctuating, the trend has generally risen to stand at 64.9% in May 2007.