The labor force participation rate in the United States steadily increased from the mid-1960s through the 1990s, reaching its peak in 2000 at 67.3%. However, since 2005 participation has continuously declined by around 2% overall. This decline is partly due to more youth pursuing higher education, discouraged workers leaving the workforce, lower birthrates reducing the size of the labor pool, and the large baby boomer generation nearing retirement age. The trends suggest this decline will continue in the coming years as demographic and social factors influence the labor force.

1. Trends in Labor-Force
Participation
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2. Change in Labor Force Participation
The labor force participation rate in the United States
increased for both males and females almost continuously
for two-and-a-half decades after the mid-1960s. There was a
standstill of growth only during pausing only briefly during
economic downturns.
During these times the role of the woman was ever changing
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3. Change in Labor Force Participation
Such trends change however come the 1990’s where you can
see a decline in growth
The labor force participation reaches its highest peak in the
first quarter of 2000 at 67.3%
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4. Change in Labor Force Participation
By 2005 labor force participation fell by 1.5%
Since 2005 there has been a continuous, slow decline of
labor force participation, the 2012 decline was estimated to
be 2% from post depression participation rates
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5. Decline of Labor Force Participation
Graph from http://www.epi.org/publication/ib333-labor-force-participation-since-great-recession/
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6. What does the Graph Show?
Woman have made a greater presence in the work force
There is a great decline of younger workers both male and
female
The 25-54 age range for males has dropped 5% while female
participation for the same age group grew by 1%
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7. What does the Graph Show?
One of the most interesting findings include overall
participation. In 1989 participation was at 66.5% and
in 2011 overall participation was at 64.1%
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8. What is Causing the Decline?
Younger
Retirement age generations
going to college
Discouraged
workers
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Decline in
birthrate

9. Will this Trend Continue?
It is estimated to continue in a slow steady decline due to the
“Baby Boomer” generation getting ready for retirement
The population as a whole is seeing trends of earlier
retirement, which lessens the labor pool
Families on average are having less children, this means a
smaller population thus a smaller labor pool
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