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 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 Total not in the labor force............ 79,501 81,659 15,452 16,207 21,255 21,823 42,794 43,629 30,593 32,013 48,908 49,646 Do not want a job now (1)............. 74,519 75,765 13,719 14,263 19,087 19,199 41,712 42,303 28,365 29,234 46,154 46,531 Want a job (1)........................ 4,983 5,894 1,733 1,944 2,168 2,624 1,082 1,325 2,228 2,779 2,755 3,115 Did not search for work in previous year............................... 2,826 3,075 913 960 1,145 1,241 768 874 1,187 1,344 1,639 1,731 Searched for work in previous year (2).......................... ..... 2,157 2,818 819 983 1,023 1,383 314 452 1,041 1,435 1,115 1,384 Not available to work now......... 543 592 252 275 244 256 48 61 214 251 329 341 Available to work now............. 1,614 2,226 568 708 780 1,127 266 391 827 1,184 787 1,043 Reason not currently looking: Discouragement over job prospects (3)........................... 462 778 145 200 226 427 90 151 282 485 180 293 Reasons other than discouragement............... 1,152 1,449 422 509 554 699 176 240 545 699 607 749 Family responsibilities..... 171 209 35 38 111 131 25 41 45 50 126 159 In school or training....... 218 306 173 234 42 65 3 7 108 163 109 144 Ill health or disability.... 124 136 16 19 68 68 40 49 55 70 69 66 Other (4)................... 640 798 199 219 332 435 108 144 337 417 303 381 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.