The female population in Malta and Gozo stood at 210,031 in 2010, accounting for 50.3 per cent of the total.
In a statement issued on the occasion of Woman's Day, being marked worldwide tomorrow, the NSO said that females aged less than 25 made up 28 per cent of the total, while 18 per cent were 65 years and over.
Women in employment
The NSO said that annual employment figures from the Labour Force Survey revealed a marked increase in the employment rate for women since 2003, despite remaining significantly lower than that for men. The employment rate among women aged between 15-24 stood at 42 per cent and for those aged 25-34, it stood at 65 per cent. On average, employed women reportedly worked 35 hours per week - 6 hours less than men.
The unemployment rate for women has been on the decrease, registering seven per cent in 2010. The highest unemployment rate for women was recorded among youths, an estimated 12 per cent. Only three per cent of the women aged 25-34 were not working or actively seeking employment.
The inactivity rate of women aged 15-64 decreased gradually, from 63 per cent in 2003 to 58 per cent in 2010. Just over half the female youths and more than 80 per cent of women aged 55-64 were inactive.
Women in education
During 2010, more than two-thirds of the female population in the 15-64 age bracket had a secondary level of education.
17 per cent had a post-secondary level of education and a 14 per cent had reached a tertiary level of education. Nearly 60 per cent of women aged 15-24 were in education or training. Forty-one per cent of women aged 15-64, who were pursuing further education or training, were in tertiary education.
Women in culture
The Culture Participation Survey showed that 70 per cent of women had internet access during the 12 months preceding the survey. The majority (96 per cent) of women aged between 16 and 44 had internet access. Of the total female youth (aged 16-24), 87 per cent made use of the internet for private purposes, 76 per cent for leisure activities and 66 per cent for the purchase of cultural goods and services. These percentages decrease as the ages of female internet users increase.
The Culture Participation Survey, held during 2011, also indicates that 62 per cent of females within the 16-24 age bracket read at least one book during the preceding 12 months. Figures from this survey also revealed that this statistic diminished as the age of females increased.
Women in politics
As at the end of January, 20 per cent of elected councillors in the 68 local councils were women. Of these, seven were mayors and 11 deputy mayors.
Slightly more than a quarter of these women were elected in the Northern Harbour district. At a national level, six of the 69 Members of Parliament, or 8.7 per cent, are women.
At a European level, all six Maltese MEPs are men.