since 1971 in the UK men's #economic #inactivity rates have tripled whilst women's have reduced by a third

the figures for that headline are as follows - Inactivity rates 1971 (m=5.1% w=44.5%), 2012 (m=16.6%, w=28.6%).  Inactivity numbers  Men (1971=850k, 2012=3316k so up 2466k) Women (1971=7562k, 2012=5768k so down 1794k)

and here is some more info from the same data set .....

Overall

1) from 1971 to 2012 the unemployment rate (ages 16 & over) has ranged from 3.7% (1973&4) to 11.8% (1984)

2) it has been at 8% (the 2012 rate) or higher in 16 of those 42 years

For Men

3) unemployment (for ages 16 & over) has ranged between 3% (1973&4) and 12.3% (1983)

4) it has been 8.4% (the 2012 rate) or higher in 18 of those years

5) economic inactivity (for ages 16 to 64) has ranged between 5.1% (1971) and 17.1% (2010&11) 

6) over the 42 years there is a noticeable increasing trend in economic inactivity (2012 ='d 16.6%)

For Women

7) unemployment (for ages 16 & over) has ranged between 4.3% (2004) and 11.6% (1984)

8) it has been 7.5% (the 2012 rate) or higher in 12 of those years

9) economic inactivity (for ages 16 to 64) has ranged between 44.5% (1971) and 28.6% (2012) 

10) over the 42 years there is a noticeable decreasing trend in economic inactivity (2012 ='d  28.6)







source used for the headlines above was the following table - A02: Labour force survey summary (employment, unemployment and inactivity) - see this summary page of sources