It’s no secret that the current state of the labor market is challenging recent college graduates, but data shows that gender also plays a role in how individuals are navigating the competitive job search.
Bloomberg News analyzed government data and found college educated young women (under the age of 25) are more persistent in their job searches and have shown greater flexibility regarding the roles they are willing to accept.
Meanwhile, many young male graduates are stepping back and waiting for opportunities that align more closely with their degrees and salary expectations.
This is reflected in the overall workforce participation rates among male college graduates. For males, the rate has notably declined within the past year — with 20% of men under 25 neither working nor actively seeking employment.
In comparison, women in the same age demographic are more likely to accept part-time positions or jobs outside of their studied field.
This growing disparity is not without its reasons. The job sectors that are traditionally male-dominated — such as the technology and finance sectors — have been affected by hiring slowdowns over the past year.
New entrants into the workforce face fiercer competition for entry-level positions as fewer promotions and longer job tenures among current employees are reducing available work opportunities. In the past, hiring rates for jobs demanding a bachelor’s degree were higher, but recent trends reveal a steep decline.
“For both workers ages 20 to 29 and the total labor market, hiring rates for jobs that typically require a bachelor’s degree have shown the steepest annual declines since mid-2022,” according to an analysis published by ADP.
The current overall unemployment rate has risen for the fourth consecutive month, currently standing at 4.3%.
Another contributing factor to this trend is that a significant portion of male and female graduates continue to live with their families while looking for jobs. Approximately 73.2% of men under 25 are reported to live with their parents compared to 68% of women.
Over half (52%) of recent four-year college graduates are underemployed within a year of graduating from college as they struggle to find employment that matches their education level.
However, the government data also shows that there could be a shift in gender demographics across the labor market. More women are demonstrating a greater flexibility and willingness to adjust their career paths, and that may contribute to a more immediate gain in the workforce — whereas men waiting for more ideal roles might find themselves falling behind in short-term employment metrics. It also could influence career trajectories in the future of work.
Understanding these trends is essential for policymakers, educational institutions, and employers looking to support young graduates.
