Annual jobs growth in healthcare was a scorching 8.7 percent, and it is easily the single biggest employer with 1.6 million workers, ahead of retail and construction. Childcare and social assistance make up the bulk of the new jobs, a breakdown of the healthcare data shows, both sectors where women tend to be active participants. And as they enter the workforce, many in turn are hiring carers for their own children, thus creating more jobs. And, like in Australia, increased participation in the workforce by women is vital to counter shrinking working-age populations. Just three of 19 industry sectors - healthcare, construction, education - accounted for the vast bulk of the job gains this year, illustrating how narrowly based the revival has been.

Source: New York Times October 22, 2017 01:18 UTC