Women in Arizona are Leaving the Workforce. Here’s Why

Arizona has undergone significant changes, particularly over the past five years. While our economy may be growing, at least on paper, a trend is quietly unfolding. Women, particularly those without college degrees, are leaving the workforce.

Who’s Leaving Arizona's Workforce Right Now?

According to the numbers from the Arizona Workforce and Education Visualization from Arizona State University (ASU), their recent report shows that women without a college degree are exiting the workforce at nearly twice the rate of their college-educated counterparts in our state.

College-educated women are also heading for the door; they're just being a little less dramatic about their exit. Women are stretched thin; here are the main reasons they're moving away from the workforce:

• Burnout
• Lack of flexibility
• Caregiving responsibilities

For women without degrees, the reasons are more structural. These are the reasons they're stepping away from the workforce:

• Low wages
• Long, unstable, unpredictable hours
• Limited opportunity for advancement

Here are some other problems plaguing the Arizona workforce: Impact Of The 2025 Government Shutdown On Arizona Federal Workers

High Costs, Low Wages, and Other Issues in Arizona

Childcare costs are skyrocketing. Arizona is one of the states with the highest childcare burden in relation to its income. For many women, it's less expensive to stay home than to pay for childcare.

Wages have begun to stagnate, lagging significantly behind inflation. No matter how hard women work, it is often difficult for them to advance professionally or financially. This is all leading to poor mental health and burnout.

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What is the Fallout for Arizona Companies?

If Arizona's companies are not feeling the fallout from this exodus, they soon will. When women leave, companies lose:

• Institutional knowledge: Long-tenured employees often carry the cultural and operational memory of a workplace. When women leave, the legacy dies.
• Team cohesion: Women tend to be overrepresented in human resources, administrative roles, and customer service. The roles help glue teams together. Without their influence, the group can fall apart.
• Diversity of thought: Women think differently from men. Gender-diverse teams outperform single-gender ones in innovation and decision-making.

Arizona’s job growth currently ranks 46th nationally in month-on-month job gains since June. Our state lost more than 8,400 jobs that month, and the labor force participation rate remains stuck at 61.4%,  which is well below pre-pandemic levels, according to CommonSenseInstituesUS.org. The departure of women is a significant factor in that statistic.

READ: Sierra Vista Police Lead Year-Round Fight Against Domestic Violence

What Are They Doing Instead of Working Outside the Home?

Women are spending their time reassessing the situation and regrouping. Many are starting businesses. In fact, Arizona has seen a rise in women-led microenterprises, especially in online retail and consulting.

As women seek more flexibility, they're turning to gig work to make a living. Jobs with rideshare companies, product delivery services, and freelance platforms allow individuals to set their own hours, even if they don't offer benefits.

Some women are returning to school to invest in their education, enabling them to re-enter the workforce with stronger skills.

What’s Next for Women Working in Arizona?

Many businesses have demanded that their employees return to work, but they may want to reconsider some of their requirements if they want to attract women back to the workforce.

Businesses should focus on expanding affordable childcare, promoting women to leadership roles, and making flexible work the norm, not the exception.

When women leave the workforce, Arizona loses not only workers but also momentum and creativity. And in this economy, can they really afford to do that?