US women gain jobs as men lose ground in labour market
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 11
US women gain jobs as men lose ground in labour market
10 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 11
Labour Department data showed women added 421,000 payroll jobs since late 2024, while men lost 1,000; overall US unemployment held at 4.3% in April.
Healthcare and social assistance added 656,500 jobs over the year, offsetting declines in male-heavy manufacturing and transportation, sectors hit by long-term weakness and tariffs.
Women’s post-pandemic gains have been helped by hybrid work and higher degree attainment, while economists say ageing and education gaps could deepen men’s labour-market challenges.
The US is creating jobs, but why are men being left behind in this new economic landscape?
As AI targets traditional male jobs, are men facing a new and unprecedented career crisis?
With women's employment gains, why does the vast gender pay gap persist and what does it signal?
U.S. Workforce Milestone: Women Achieve and Exceed Employment Parity with Men in 2026
Overview
In early 2026, the U.S. labor market reached a historic milestone as women now hold as many or more payroll jobs than men, closing a gap that was nearly 7 million in the early 1990s. Over three decades, this disparity steadily narrowed, driven by economic pressures and changing societal roles. However, men remain reluctant to enter fields traditionally seen as 'women’s work,' such as healthcare, partly due to persistent cultural perceptions. This shift highlights both progress and ongoing challenges, as the workforce adapts to new realities and the need for broader participation across all sectors becomes clear.