The largest increase in employment over the past 12 months was in the areas of education and health, according to the first National Quarterly Survey of 2002.
According to the figures 16,700 of the 17,400 jobs created in both sectors were taken by women.
Employment grew in all areas over the year with the exception of production industries, which decreased by 7,900, and agriculture, forestry and fishing which showed no change.
All occupational categories increased in the year, with the exception of craft and related (-4,900) and plant and machine operatives (-2,000).
The largest increases were for professional (+9,400) and for clerical and secretarial (+9,400) positions.
In the year to the first quarter of 2002, the number of self-employed persons without employees grew by 7,200 while the number of self-employed persons with employees decreased by 1,200.
Over 80 per cent of the overall increase in the workforce (+19,400) was accounted for by women, compared with an annual rise of only 4,500 in the number of males working full-time.
Part-time employment increased by 11,600 to 294,600. Most of this increase was also accounted for by women who account for over three-quarters of those in part-time employment.
Over 30 per cent of women worked for less than 30 hours a week compared to 6 per cent of men.
Almost a third (111,200) of all working mothers (341,300) had children under the age of five. Of these, 19,000 were lone parents.
The number of persons working 35 to 39 hours a week increased by 43,400 and the numbers working 40 hours or more decreased by 28,300. The numbers working variable hours increased by 6,300 in the year to 205,400.
The average working week was 37.6 hours in the first quarter of 2002, compared with 37.8 hours in 2001 and 38.1 hours in 2000. For men the average working week was 41.8 hours and for women it was 32.4 hours.