HOUSEHOLD DATA HOUSEHOLD DATA ANNUAL AVERAGES ANNUAL AVERAGES 35. Persons not in the labor force by desire and availability for work, age, and sex (In thousands) Total Age Sex Category 16 to 24 25 to 54 55 years Men Women years years and over 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 Total not in the labor force............ 77,387 78,743 14,549 15,192 21,318 21,343 41,520 42,207 29,350 30,036 48,037 48,707 Do not want a job now (1)............. 72,602 74,040 12,867 13,510 19,221 19,256 40,514 41,275 27,248 27,914 45,354 46,126 Want a job (1)........................ 4,786 4,703 1,682 1,683 2,097 2,088 1,006 933 2,102 2,122 2,684 2,581 Did not search for work in previous year............................... 2,758 2,748 883 931 1,155 1,148 720 668 1,145 1,173 1,612 1,575 Searched for work in previous year (2)........................... 2,028 1,955 800 751 942 939 286 264 956 950 1,071 1,005 Not available to work now......... 580 560 282 272 252 234 46 53 226 223 354 336 Available to work now............. 1,448 1,395 518 479 690 705 240 211 731 726 717 669 Reason not currently looking: Discouragement over job prospects (3)................... 381 369 118 110 195 199 68 61 229 226 152 143 Reasons other than discouragement............... 1,067 1,026 399 370 495 506 172 150 502 500 565 526 Family responsibilities..... 152 160 31 31 97 109 24 21 35 37 117 123 In school or training....... 207 180 177 149 28 27 2 3 111 102 96 78 Ill health or disability.... 130 114 18 11 76 66 36 37 63 57 68 58 Other (4)................... 578 572 174 178 294 304 110 90 292 305 285 267 1 Includes some persons who are not asked if they want a job. 2 Persons who had a job in the prior 12 months must have searched since the end of that job. 3 Includes believes no work available, could not find work, lacks necessary schooling or training, employer thinks too young or old, and other types of discrimination. 4 Includes those who did not actively look for work in the prior 4 weeks for such reasons as child care and transportation problems, as well as a small number for which reason for nonparticipation was not ascertained. NOTE: Updated population controls are introduced annually with the release of January data.