For most women, the main route to economic independence is through earning income in the labour market (paid work).  Paid work has far-reaching and positive outcomes for women and their families, as well as being important for growing the New Zealand economy. New Zealand women are participating in the labour market at higher rates than ever before, though patterns of labour market participation vary among women by age and ethnicity.  Internationally our female labour force participation rate is above the OECD average.  The New Zealand labour force participation rate for women is currenlty at 63.7 percent (March 2014).  Men's labour force participation rate is nearly 75 percent. The female unemployment rate is higher than that of men (6.4 percent compared with 5.6 percent for men, as at March 2014).  The unemployment rate is highest for Māori and Pacific women.