About 617,000 women left the workforce in September alone, compared with only 78,000 men, according to government data released Friday. Half of the women who dropped out were in the prime working age of 35-44. While the huge number of dropouts also reduced the unemployment rate, the country-wide female jobless rate remained at 8% in September. For Black and Hispanic women, the unemployment rates are higher. Last month's massive workforce dropout rate for women is at least partially due to the lack of childcare options, said Russel Price, chief economist at Ameriprise, in emailed comments.

Source: CNN October 07, 2020 19:41 UTC