Unemployment among graduating Ph.D.'s: Do economic conditions matter?

This paper explores the effects of feminization of the new doctorate ranks on the unemployment rate of new Ph.D.'s. Data on percentage female and percentage unemployed by field are used to test several hypotheses. The first, that feminization has not had a negative effect on the male/female unemployment rate differential, is rejected. The second, that the female Ph.D. unemployment rate is not related to the overall U.S. rate, the third, that unemployment among female Ph.D.'s is not related to the U.S. women's rate, and the fourth, that the differential in male/female unemployment is unrelated to the U.S. rate, are all accepted. Our results suggest the need for additional research. They also imply that, despite increased opportunities, new female Ph.D.'s face higher unemployment rates than their male counterparts.