Men Working Less, Impacting UK Productivity
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Men, especially millennials, are working fewer hours compared to previous generations according to data from the UK's Office for National Statistics.
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Since 1998, the average number of hours worked per week by men has fallen by 3.3 hours. Over the same period, women have worked 1.9 more hours per week.
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The decline in working hours is being driven by younger men aged 25-49, as well as aging Gen X workers approaching retirement.
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Researchers attribute this trend to factors like declining wages and status, increased time spent in education, and shifting priorities due to COVID-19.
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Falling working hours may negatively impact UK's sluggish productivity growth, presenting a challenge for policymakers.