ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Labour Force Survey (LFS) statistics on economic activity, highest educational qualification, marital status and ethnicity. It looks at comparisons within South Asian groups and between other ethnic groups, to investigate whether marriage has a differential impact for different ethnic groups and if there been any changes over time in paid employment and education for women. The relevant LFS data was sorted by gender, ethnic group, age, education, employment and marital status. The 'economically active' population or labour force comprises people in employment together with unemployed people. Education has a similar impact for women of all ethnic groups, enabling them to enter employment; however women from different ethnic groups have differential access to education. Education and employment influence women's marital status. Women are less likely to marry if they are highly educated and employed. Religion has a significant impact upon whether women get highly educated and enter employment.
