Industry Representation, Structural Change and the Older Male Worker in Australia (1985 to 2005)

Abstract

"Employment segregation and unfavourable changes to the industrial composition of employment are a possible reason for the long term decline in labour force participation of older males in Australia over recent decades. In this paper, I explore this proposition by analysing employment data for older males over the 1985 to 2005 period. Findings from segregation and shift-share analyses suggest that, although older males appear to be segregated by industry and generally over-represented in stagnant or declining industries, the net aggregate effects of structural change for older males’ employment trends are minimal."