During the 1980s, the population of black women aged 16 years and older in the United States increased by 17.2%, and labor force participation for black women increased by 29%. In 1987, black women accounted for 50% of total black employment. The unemployment rate for black teenagers in 1990 was 30% (versus 10.8% for all black women). Labor force participation by black women increased from 53.1% in 1980 to 57.8% in 1990. Predictably, black women with more years of schooling have higher labor force participation rates. Increasing numbers of black women are entering higher paying and career-oriented managerial and professional specialty occupations, and many black women are becoming entrepreneurs. Total earnings for black women who worked 50 weeks or more in 1989 averaged $17,389 (up 63% from 1980). Between 1980 and 1990, the number of black families maintained by women rose 34.3%. Since 1980, families headed by black females have experienced a 54.9% increase in income. By 1987, there were 21,000 more black women in the work force than black men. This trend should continue through the end of this century. (MN)
