This article is an update on the labor force participation rate (LFPR), adding information through November, 2012. In July I posted a long article about the LFPR. If anything, the situation has gotten worse. Let’s look at some updated data and graphs.
The two youngest groups (16-24, 25-34) continue their downward trend:
LFPR, ages 16 to 24
LFPR, ages 25 to 34
The data for 2012 covers the first three quarters of 2012. The 25-34 age group stayed just about constant compared to 2011: 81.52% in 2012 vs. 81.53% in 2011. To get some perspective on the 16-24 group, here’s the annual data for the last five years:
| Year | Participation rate |
| 2000 | 65.81% |
| 2001 | 64.57% |
| 2002 | 63.28% |
| 2003 | 61.55% |
| 2004 | 61.13% |
| 2005 | 60.76% |
| 2006 | 60.60% |
| 2007 | 59.42% |
| 2008 | 58.79% |
| 2009 | 56.87% |
| 2010 | 55.18% |
| 2011 | 54.98% |
| 2012 | 54.71% |
That’s a decrease of 11.11 percentage points. Once again, it is even clearer that we are losing a generation of workers. Economists know that getting a job for the first time is one of the best predictors of long-term career success.
There is one canard that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Some comments in the press have alleged that the decline in the LFPR has been caused by people in my generation retiring. Luckily I have the data for the 65 and older age group:
LFPR, ages 65 and older
Quite the obvious. Not only are we not retiring, we’re re-entering the labor force.
I’m preparing a much longer piece that will investigate issues around discouraged workers and others marginally attached to the labor force (as the BLS puts it). Stay tuned.
