Ethnic differences in women's demographic, family characteristics and economic activity profiles, 1992 to 2002

White women aged 19-59 were more likely than women from other ethnic groups to be without any children aged under 16. South Asian women were more likely than other groups to be marrried with dependent children, while Black Caribbean and Black African women were more likely than other groups to be lone parents. Levels of lone parenthood increased between 1992-95 and 2000-02 among all ethnic groups aged 19-59. Pakistani and Bangladeshi lone mothers tend to be separated, divorced or widowed rather than single. Indian and White women had many characteristics in common. Over the decade 1992-2003 there was an increase in the proportion of women working full-time in most ethnic groups. Black Caribbean women had the highest levels of full-time working (45 per cent of all women aged 19-59 in 2000-02) and Pakistani and Bangladeshi women had the lowest at 14 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.