For release 10:00 a.m. (EDT) Friday, April 8, 2016 USDL-16-0700
Technical information:(202) 691-7410 * nls_info@bls.gov * www.bls.gov/nls
Media contact: (202) 691-5902 * PressOffice@bls.gov
LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY, EDUCATION, AND PARTNER STATUS AMONG AMERICA'S YOUNG
ADULTS AT 29: RESULTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY
Young adults born in the early 1980s held an average of 7.2 jobs from age 18 through
age 28, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Individuals held more
jobs at younger ages, and the number of jobs held declined as individuals aged. Young
adults held an average of 3.9 jobs from ages 18 to 21 compared with 2.5 jobs from
ages 25 to 28. From ages 18 to 28, women with more education held more jobs than
women with less education. Regardless of education, men held a similar number of
jobs.
These findings are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, a nationally
representative survey of about 9,000 young men and women who were born during the
years 1980 to 1984. These respondents were ages 12 to 17 when first interviewed in
1997 and ages 28 to 34 when interviewed for the 16th time in 2013-14. The survey
provides information on work and nonwork experiences, training, schooling, income,
assets, and other characteristics. The information provided by respondents is
representative of all men and women born in the early 1980s and living in the
United States when the survey began in 1997.
This release focuses on the educational attainment, employment experiences, and
partner status of these individuals from their 18th birthday until they turned 29.
Highlights from the longitudinal survey data:
--By 29 years of age, 34 percent of women had received a bachelor's degree,
compared with 26 percent of men. Seventy-two percent of women had attended
college compared with 63 percent of men. (See table 1.)
--Young adults held an average of 7.2 jobs from ages 18 through 28, with over
half of these jobs being held between the ages of 18 and 21. (See table 2.)
--Women with less than a high school diploma were employed an average of
41 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 28, while men with less than a high
school diploma were employed 63 percent of weeks. Among young adults with
a bachelor's degree and higher, women were employed an average of 79 percent
of weeks, while men were employed 75 percent of weeks. (See table 3.)
--Young adults were employed for an average of 74 percent of weeks from ages
18 to 28. This varied across age brackets: individuals were employed 67
percent of weeks from ages 18 to 21, 77 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24,
and 78 percent of weeks from ages 25 to 28. (See table 4.)
--Almost 50 percent of jobs held by high school dropouts from ages 18 to 28
were held for less than 6 months. For those with a bachelor's degree and
higher, 34 percent of jobs were held for less than 6 months. (See table 5.)
--At the time of their 29th birthday, 40 percent of young adults were married,
20 percent were cohabiting, and 40 percent were single. The percent of
young adults living with a partner did not vary by education, though those
with higher levels of education were more likely to be married and less
likely to be cohabiting than those with lower levels of education. (See
table 6.)
--Men who were single at age 29 were employed 70 percent of the weeks from
ages 18 to 28, compared with 83 percent for those who were married and
76 percent for those who were cohabiting. The percentage of weeks
employed did not vary substantially by partner status for women. (See
table 7.)
Educational Attainment at Age 29
At 29 years of age, 30 percent of individuals had received a bachelor's degree,
while 38 percent had attended some college or received an associate degree.
Twenty-four percent of 29 year-olds had a high school diploma or General
Education Development (GED) credential and no further schooling. (See table 1.)
Women were more likely than men to have received a bachelor's degree by age 29.
Thirty-four percent of women had earned a bachelor's degree, compared with 26
percent of men. In total, 72 percent of women had either attended some college or
received a bachelor's degree, compared with 63 percent of men. In addition to
being more likely to attend college, women were more likely to have finished their
college degree. Of the 72 percent of women who started college, 47 percent received
a bachelor's degree by age 29. In comparison, of the 63 percent of men who started
college, 41 percent had received a bachelor's degree.
Within each racial and ethnic group examined, women were more likely to have a
bachelor's degree than men. White women were more likely than White men to have
received a bachelor's degree (39 percent versus 31 percent), Black women were more
likely than Black men (21 percent versus 12 percent), and Hispanic women were more
likely than Hispanic men (20 percent versus 14 percent).
At age 29, there was a large difference in educational attainment among racial and
ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were more likely than Whites to
have dropped out of high school. In comparison, Whites were more than twice as
likely as Blacks or Hispanics to have received a bachelor's degree by this age.
Thirty-five percent of Whites had received a bachelor's degree at age 29, compared
with 17 percent of both Blacks and Hispanics. Among those who had attended college,
Whites were more likely than Blacks or Hispanics to have received a bachelor's
degree. Just over one-quarter of Blacks and Hispanics who had attended college had
received a bachelor's degree by age 29, compared with one-half of Whites.
Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics achieved similar educational attainment levels
by age 29. Among both groups, 29 percent were high school graduates who had not
attended any college, though the two groups achieved this result in different ways.
Sixty percent of Black high school graduates who did not attend college received a
high school diploma and 40 percent completed a GED; among Hispanics of similar
educational attainment, 71 percent received a high school diploma and 29 percent
received a GED.
Employment Experiences of Young Adults from Age 18 through Age 28
Young adults held an average of 7.2 jobs from the ages of 18 through 28 in 1998-2013.
Men held an average of 7.1 jobs and women held an average of 7.3 jobs during this
time. Women at higher levels of educational attainment held more jobs than women at
lower levels. Women with a bachelor's degree held 8.0 jobs from ages 18 through 28,
compared with 5.6 jobs for female high school dropouts. Men held a similar number of
jobs regardless of their level of educational attainment. Men with a bachelor's
degree held 7.0 jobs from ages 18 through 28, compared to 6.9 jobs for male high
school dropouts. (See table 2.) In this news release, a job is defined as a period
of work, including gaps, with a particular employer. (See the Technical Note for
additional information on the definition of a job.)
Examining employment experiences by smaller age brackets shows individuals held fewer
jobs in each subsequent age bracket. Individuals held an average of 3.9 jobs in the
4-year period from ages 18 to 21. The number of jobs individuals held dropped to 2.7
in the 3-year period from ages 22 to 24, and then dropped further to 2.5 in the 4-year
period from ages 25 to 28. The pattern of individuals holding fewer jobs as they aged
was similar for most sex, racial, and ethnic groups and levels of educational attainment.
On average, young adults were employed during 74 percent of the weeks occurring from
age 18 through age 28, unemployed--that is, without a job but seeking work--6 percent of
the weeks, and not in the labor force--that is, neither working nor seeking work--20
percent of the weeks. (See table 3.)
As a whole, individuals with higher levels of educational attainment were employed for
a higher percentage of weeks and unemployed for a lower percentage of weeks than
individuals with lower levels of education. The percentage of weeks not in the labor
force generally decreased with an individual's level of educational attainment.
From ages 18 to 28, men spent less time not in the labor force than women (17 percent
versus 23 percent) and more time employed (76 percent versus 71 percent). This
relationship held at all levels of educational attainment except among those with a
bachelor's degree. Women with a bachelor's degree and higher spent a larger proportion
of weeks employed than did similarly educated men (79 percent versus 75 percent) and
less time not in the labor force (18 percent versus 22 percent). The percentage of
weeks worked increased for women with each higher level of educational attainment,
while men with a bachelor's degree actually spent fewer weeks employed than men with
some college or an associate degree (75 percent versus 79 percent).
Statistically significant employment gaps existed between racial and ethnic groups.
On average, Whites were employed during 76 percent of the weeks that occurred from
age 18 through age 28, Hispanics were employed during 73 percent of the weeks, and
Blacks were employed during 63 percent of the weeks.
The employment gap between Whites and Blacks is more pronounced at lower levels of
educational attainment. White high school dropouts spent 57 percent of weeks employed
from ages 18 through 28, while Black dropouts spent 39 percent of weeks employed
during these ages. The gap is smaller among those who held a bachelor's degree;
however, the difference in the percentage of weeks employed is still significant.
White college graduates spent 79 percent of weeks employed, while Black college
graduates spent 75 percent of weeks employed.
The employment gap between Hispanics and Blacks is also more pronounced at lower
levels of education. Hispanic dropouts spent 59 percent of weeks employed from
ages 18 through 28, while Black dropouts spent 39 percent of weeks employed during
these ages. Hispanic and Black college graduates spent a similar percentage of weeks
employed (76 percent versus 75 percent). The employment gap between Whites and
Hispanics is insignificant among high school dropouts (57 percent versus 59 percent)
and those with some college or an associate degree (78 percent versus 77 percent).
Young adults spent 67 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 21, 77 percent of
weeks from ages 22 to 24, and 78 percent of weeks from ages 25 to 28. Men spent a
higher percentage of weeks employed in each subsequent age bracket, but this was not
the case for women. Men spent 67 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 21; this
increased to 79 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24 and increased further to 81
percent from ages 25 to 28. Women spent 66 percent of weeks employed from ages 18
to 21; this increased to 74 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24 but remained at 74
percent from ages 25 to 28. Men were employed for a significantly higher percentage
of weeks than women during age brackets 22 to 24 and 25 to 28. (See table 4.)
The employment gap between racial and ethnic groups also existed within each age
bracket analyzed. During ages 18 to 21, 22 to 24, and 25 to 28, Whites were employed
during a higher percentage of weeks than Hispanics, who were employed during a higher
percentage of weeks than Blacks.
As these young adults aged, they spent increasingly less time out of the labor force.
Young adults spent 27 percent of weeks not in the labor force from ages 18 to 21, 18
percent of weeks from ages 22 to 24, and 16 percent of weeks from ages 25 to 28. This
trend was apparent across almost all sex, racial, and ethnic groups examined.
Duration of Employment Relationships
Most jobs held through age 28 were of relatively short duration. Of all the jobs held
by 18- to 28-year-old workers, 37 percent ended in less than 6 months; 18 percent
ended in 6 months or more, but less than 1 year; 16 percent ended in 1 year or more,
but less than 2 years; 15 percent lasted 2 years or more; and another 15 percent of
jobs were ongoing at the individual's 29th birthday. (See table 5.)
Jobs held by high school dropouts were more likely to end in less than 6 months than
jobs held by individuals with higher levels of educational attainment. Jobs held by
high school graduates or individuals with some college were also more likely to end
in less than 6 months than jobs held by individuals with a bachelor's degree and
higher. In particular, female high school dropouts held jobs for the shortest
duration, with 52 percent of jobs ending in less than 6 months.
Partner Status and Employment Experiences
At 29 years of age, 40 percent of young adults were married, 20 percent were
cohabiting--unmarried and living with a partner, and 40 percent were single--not
married and not living with a partner. (See table 6.)
The percentage of young adults who were single did not vary significantly across
educational attainment levels (ranging between 39 and 40 percent for all education
groups). Those with higher levels of education were more likely to be married and
less likely to be cohabiting than those with lower levels of education. At the time
of their 29th birthday, 34 percent of high school dropouts, 37 percent of high school
graduates, 40 percent of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and
45 percent of college graduates were married.
Partner status varied greatly by race and ethnicity. Blacks were much more likely to
be single than either Whites or Hispanics. At 29 years of age, 60 percent of Blacks
were single, compared with 34 percent of Whites and 39 percent of Hispanics. Blacks
were also significantly less likely to be married than either Whites or Hispanics
(22 percent versus 46 percent and 39 percent, respectively).
At age 29, women were significantly more likely to be married and less likely to be
single than men. Forty-five percent of women were married and 35 percent were single,
while 36 percent of men were married and 44 percent were single. Women were also
generally more likely to be married than men at each level of educational attainment.
Compared with young adults who were single at age 29, young adults who were married
worked more weeks from ages 18 to 28, spent fewer weeks unemployed, and spent fewer
weeks not in the labor force. From ages 18 to 28, single young adults spent 70 percent
of weeks employed, 8 percent of weeks unemployed, and 22 percent of weeks not in the
labor force, while those who were married spent 77 percent of weeks employed, 5
percent of weeks unemployed, and 19 percent of weeks not in the labor force. Cohabiting
young adults spent 73 percent of weeks employed, 7 percent of weeks unemployed, and 19
percent of weeks not in the labor force. (See table 7.)
Men accounted for most of the variation in employment experiences by partner status.
Married men worked more weeks, were unemployed fewer weeks, and were less likely to
be not in the labor force than either single or cohabiting men. Married men spent
83 percent of weeks employed, compared with 70 percent for single men and 76 percent
for cohabiting men. In contrast, there were limited differences in the employment
experiences of women by partner status. Married women were slightly more likely to
be employed than single women (73 percent versus 70 percent) and were less likely to
be unemployed than either single or cohabiting women (4 percent versus 7 percent).
Married individuals also worked more weeks than single individuals when comparing
within racial and ethnic groups. Married Whites spent a higher percentage of weeks
employed than single Whites (78 percent versus 74 percent), married Blacks spent a
higher percentage of weeks employed than single Blacks (69 percent versus 61 percent),
and married Hispanics spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single
Hispanics (75 percent versus 70 percent).
Technical Note
The estimates in this release were obtained using data from the first 16 rounds of the
National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). The NLSY97 collects extensive
information on labor market behavior and educational experiences. Information about
respondents’ families and communities also is obtained in the survey.
This survey is conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of
Chicago and the Center for Human Resource Research at The Ohio State University, under
the direction and sponsorship of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
of Labor. Partial funding support for the survey has been provided by the Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice, the
Office of Vocational and Adult Education of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S.
Department of Defense, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Science Foundation.
Sample
The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 is a nationally representative sample
of 8,984 young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. This sample
is composed of the following groups:
--A cross-sectional sample designed to represent the noninstitutionalized,
civilian segment of young people living in the U.S. in 1997 and born between
January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1984.
--Supplemental samples of Hispanic or Latino and Black youths living in the U.S.
in 1997 and born between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1984.
The sixteenth round of interviews took place between November 2013 and July 2014. This
release examines the period from respondents’ 18th birthday until their 29th birthday.
All results are weighted using the survey weights from the round in the year the
respondents turned 29. The survey weights correct for oversampling of some demographic
groups and nonresponse. When weighted, the data represent all people who were born in
the years 1980 to 1984 and living in the U.S. in 1997. Not represented by the survey
are U.S. immigrants who were born from 1980 to 1984 and moved to the U.S. after 1997.
NLSY97 sample members remain eligible to be interviewed during military service or if
they become incarcerated or institutionalized.
Work history data
The total number of jobs that people hold during their work life is an easy concept
to understand but a difficult one to measure. Reliable estimates require a survey that
interviews the same people over the course of their entire work life and also keeps
track of all the jobs they ever held. The NLSY97 tracks the number of jobs that people
have held, but the respondents in this survey are still young and have many years of
work life ahead of them. As the cohort continues to age, however, more complete
information will become available.
A unique feature of the NLSY97 is that it collects the beginning and ending dates of
all jobs held by a respondent so that a longitudinal history can be constructed of
each respondent's work experiences. The NLSY97 work history data provide a week-by-
week work record of each respondent from January 1, 1994, through the most recent
survey date. These data contain information on the respondent’s labor force status
each week, the usual hours worked per week at all jobs, and earnings for all jobs.
If a respondent worked at more than one job in any week, hours and earnings are
obtained for additional jobs. When a respondent who missed one or more consecutive
survey rounds is interviewed again, he or she is asked to provide information about
all time since the last interview.
Interaction between time and age in a longitudinal survey
Because the NLSY97 is a longitudinal survey, meaning the same people are surveyed
over time, the ages of the respondents change with each survey round. It is important
to keep in mind this inherent link between the calendar years and the ages of the
respondents. The youngest respondents in the sample (birth year 1984) turned 29
during calendar year 2013, whereas the oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned
29 during calendar year 2009. Some respondents may not be used in all tables if
information about their work history is incomplete.
Definitions
Educational attainment. Educational attainment is taken at the time of the
respondents' 29th birthday. If a respondent had not earned a high school diploma
or General Educational Development (GED) credential, he or she is counted as a high
school dropout. Individuals with an associate degree or any enrollment in college
after high school are counted as having some college.
Employed. The NLSY97 collects employment histories for civilian jobs and military
service. Respondents are classified as employed if they did any work during the
specified time period as paid employees, as self-employed proprietors of their own
businesses, as unpaid workers in a business owned by a member of their family, or
if they were serving in the Armed Forces.
Unemployed. Respondents are classified as unemployed if they did not work during
the specified time period but reported that they looked for work or were on layoff
from a job. No probing for intensity of job search is done.
Not in the labor force. Respondents are classified as not in the labor force if
they did not work or look for work during the specified time period.
Job. A job is defined as a period of work with a particular employer. Jobs are
therefore employer-based, not position-based. If a respondent indicates that he or
she left a job but in a subsequent survey returned to the same job, it would not be
counted as a new job. For self-employed workers, each "new" job is defined by the
individuals themselves.
Partner Status. Partner status is determined during the month the individual turned
29. Respondents who are married but not living with their spouses are counted as
married. To be marked as cohabiting, the respondent must be living with an
individual of either gender for at least one month in a sexual relationship. Living
with roommates or parents would not affect partner status. Respondents who are not
married and not cohabiting are counted as single.
Race and ethnic groups. In this release, the findings are reported for non-Hispanic
Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics or Latinos. These groups are mutually
exclusive but not exhaustive. Other groups, which are included in the overall
totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample
is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. In other
BLS publications, estimates usually are published for Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics
or Latinos, but these groups are not mutually exclusive. "Hispanic or Latino" is
considered to be an ethnic group, and people in that group can be of any race. Most
other BLS publications include estimates for Hispanics or Latinos in the White and
Black race groups in addition to the Hispanic or Latino ethnic group.
Information in this release will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals
upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.
Table 1. Highest grade completed by young adults at age 29 in 2009-13 by sex, race, and
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
(Percent distribution)
Educational Attainment
High School Graduates College
Characteristic General
High High Education
school Total school Develop- Total Some Bachelor's
dropouts diploma ment (GED) college degree and
recipients higher (1)
Total ................... 7.7 24.4 17.0 7.4 67.7 37.7 30.0
White, non-Hispanic .... 6.4 23.4 16.9 6.4 70.0 35.3 34.7
Black, non-Hispanic .... 10.8 28.6 17.2 11.4 60.0 43.5 16.6
Hispanic or Latino ..... 11.4 28.9 20.4 8.5 59.3 42.5 16.9
Men ..................... 8.5 28.0 19.1 8.9 63.1 37.2 25.9
White, non-Hispanic .... 6.9 26.9 19.6 7.3 66.0 35.5 30.5
Black, non-Hispanic .... 13.0 35.5 19.2 16.2 50.7 38.5 12.2
Hispanic or Latino ..... 12.6 31.3 21.2 10.1 55.9 41.8 14.1
Women ................... 6.8 20.6 14.8 5.8 72.4 38.2 34.2
White, non-Hispanic .... 6.0 19.8 14.2 5.6 74.2 35.1 39.1
Black, non-Hispanic .... 8.5 21.6 15.1 6.5 69.4 48.4 21.0
Hispanic or Latino ..... 10.0 26.3 19.6 6.7 63.3 43.2 20.1
1 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees,
such as law or medical degrees.
NOTE: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who
were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are
mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are included in the overall
totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not
sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is
determined during the month of the respondent's 29th birthday.
Table 2. Number of jobs held by individuals from age 18 through age 28 in 1998-2013
by educational attainment, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and age
Average number of jobs for persons ages
18 to 28 in 1998-2013(1)
Characteristic
Ages 18 Ages 22 Ages 25
Total(2) to 21 to 24 to 28
Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ....... 7.2 3.9 2.7 2.5
Less than a high school diploma ........ 6.3 3.4 2.2 2.2
High school graduates, no college (3) .. 6.8 3.7 2.4 2.3
Some college or associate degree ....... 7.4 4.1 2.7 2.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....... 7.5 3.9 3.1 2.7
Men ..................................... 7.1 3.7 2.7 2.5
Less than a high school diploma ........ 6.9 3.8 2.5 2.4
High school graduates, no college (3) .. 7.1 3.7 2.6 2.4
Some college or associate degree ....... 7.2 3.9 2.6 2.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....... 7.0 3.5 2.9 2.6
Women ................................... 7.3 4.0 2.7 2.5
Less than a high school diploma ........ 5.6 2.9 1.9 1.9
High school graduates, no college (3) .. 6.4 3.6 2.1 2.1
Some college or associate degree ....... 7.6 4.3 2.7 2.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....... 8.0 4.2 3.2 2.7
White, non-Hispanic ..................... 7.5 4.1 2.8 2.5
Less than a high school diploma ........ 7.0 4.0 2.4 2.3
High school graduates, no college (3) .. 7.0 3.9 2.4 2.3
Some college or associate degree ....... 7.6 4.2 2.7 2.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....... 7.7 4.1 3.2 2.7
Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 6.8 3.5 2.6 2.4
Less than a high school diploma ........ 5.0 2.5 1.9 1.7
High school graduates, no college (3) .. 6.4 3.2 2.2 2.2
Some college or associate degree ....... 7.4 3.8 2.7 2.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....... 7.1 3.5 2.9 2.6
Hispanic or Latino ...................... 6.5 3.5 2.4 2.4
Less than a high school diploma ........ 6.2 3.2 2.2 2.4
High school graduates, no college (3) .. 6.4 3.5 2.2 2.3
Some college or associate degree ....... 6.7 3.7 2.5 2.3
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....... 6.6 3.3 2.7 2.5
1 Time span includes up to the month before the respondent's 29th birthday.
2 Jobs that were held in more than one of the age categories were counted in
each appropriate column, but only once in the total column.
3 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education
Development (GED)) credential.
4 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or
professional degrees, such as law or medical degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when
interviewed in 2013-14. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists
of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive.
Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown
separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently
large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is
determined during the month of the respondent's 29th birthday.
Table 3. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor
force from age 18 through age 28 in 1998-2013 by educational attainment, sex, race,
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Percent of total weeks while ages
18 to 28 in 1998-2013
Characteristic
Not in
labor
Employed Unemployed force
Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ........... 73.5 6.3 20.2
Less than a high school diploma ............ 53.2 12.4 34.4
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 70.9 8.4 20.6
Some college or associate degree ........... 76.0 6.4 17.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 77.6 3.0 19.4
Men ......................................... 75.6 7.0 17.4
Less than a high school diploma ............ 62.7 13.6 23.8
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 75.2 9.2 15.6
Some college or associate degree ........... 79.1 6.6 14.3
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 75.3 3.1 21.5
Women ....................................... 71.3 5.6 23.1
Less than a high school diploma ............ 41.0 11.0 48.1
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 65.0 7.3 27.7
Some college or associate degree ........... 72.8 6.2 21.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 79.3 2.9 17.7
White, non-Hispanic ......................... 76.2 5.2 18.6
Less than a high school diploma ............ 57.2 12.0 30.8
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 75.1 7.0 17.8
Some college or associate degree ........... 77.9 5.3 16.8
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 78.7 2.7 18.7
Black, non-Hispanic ......................... 63.4 10.9 25.6
Less than a high school diploma ............ 38.9 16.7 44.4
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 58.6 12.7 28.6
Some college or associate degree ........... 68.4 10.7 20.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 74.6 4.8 20.6
Hispanic or Latino .......................... 72.6 6.7 20.7
Less than a high school diploma ............ 59.1 9.5 31.4
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 69.4 8.5 22.1
Some college or associate degree ........... 77.3 5.7 17.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 75.6 4.1 20.4
1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education
Development (GED)) credential.
2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional
degrees, such as law or medical degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when
interviewed in 2013-14. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of
young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic
or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race
groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because
their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide
statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the
month of the respondent's 29th birthday.
Table 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor
force from age 18 through age 28 in 1998-2013 by age, sex, race, and Hispanic or
Latino ethnicity
Percent of total weeks
Age and characteristic
Not in
labor
Employed Unemployed force
Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ............... 73.5 6.3 20.2
Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 ..................... 66.7 6.5 26.8
Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 ..................... 76.7 5.8 17.5
Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 ..................... 77.8 6.7 15.5
Men, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ................. 75.6 7.0 17.4
Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 ..................... 67.1 7.2 25.6
Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 ..................... 79.2 6.2 14.6
Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 ..................... 81.3 7.5 11.2
Women, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ............... 71.3 5.6 23.1
Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 ..................... 66.2 5.8 28.0
Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 ..................... 74.2 5.3 20.5
Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 ..................... 74.2 5.8 20.0
White non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 .. 76.2 5.2 18.6
Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 ..................... 70.1 5.2 24.6
Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 ..................... 79.1 4.9 16.0
Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 ..................... 80.1 5.5 14.4
Black non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 .. 63.4 10.9 25.6
Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 ..................... 55.2 11.3 33.6
Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 ..................... 67.4 9.8 22.9
Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 ..................... 68.8 11.7 19.5
Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 .. 72.6 6.7 20.7
Ages 18 to 21 in 1998-2006 ..................... 65.5 7.5 27.1
Ages 22 to 24 in 2002-2009 ..................... 76.4 5.6 18.1
Ages 25 to 28 in 2005-2013 ..................... 77.0 6.6 16.4
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when
interviewed in 2013-14. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists
of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive.
Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown
separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently
large to provide statistically reliable estimates.
Table 5. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for all jobs started from
age 18 through age 28 in 1998-2013 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or
Latino ethnicity
Percent distribution of duration of
employment relationships
Characteristic
6 months or 1 year or Ongoing
more, but more, but 2 years at
Less than less than less than or more age 29
6 months 1 year 2 years
Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ....... 37.1 17.5 15.7 14.6 15.1
Less than a high school diploma ........ 46.7 17.1 14.1 10.4 11.6
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 37.8 17.6 15.3 14.5 14.9
Some college or associate degree ....... 37.3 18.0 15.8 14.1 14.7
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 33.8 16.9 16.4 16.4 16.5
Men ..................................... 36.6 17.3 15.4 14.3 16.4
Less than a high school diploma ........ 43.1 17.2 15.1 11.1 13.5
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 37.4 17.4 14.9 14.6 15.8
Some college or associate degree ....... 35.6 18.3 15.8 13.8 16.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 35.1 15.8 15.5 15.7 17.9
Women ................................... 37.5 17.7 16.1 15.0 13.7
Less than a high school diploma ........ 51.5 17.1 12.7 9.5 9.2
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 38.4 17.9 15.8 14.3 13.6
Some college or associate degree ....... 38.9 17.8 15.9 14.5 13.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 32.8 17.8 17.1 16.9 15.5
White, non-Hispanic ..................... 36.6 17.7 15.6 15.0 15.2
Less than a high school diploma ........ 47.2 17.4 13.8 10.5 11.0
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 36.4 17.8 15.0 15.0 15.8
Some college or associate degree ....... 37.2 18.2 15.6 14.4 14.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 34.3 17.1 16.2 16.3 16.1
Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 40.7 17.7 15.4 12.5 13.7
Less than a high school diploma ........ 50.7 17.3 12.5 9.0 10.4
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 42.5 17.7 15.8 12.1 11.9
Some college or associate degree ....... 39.7 18.0 15.8 12.0 14.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 33.9 17.0 15.9 16.5 16.7
Hispanic or Latino ...................... 34.9 16.9 16.6 15.6 16.1
Less than a high school diploma ........ 41.5 16.4 15.8 11.2 15.2
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 36.2 16.6 15.8 16.3 15.1
Some college or associate degree ....... 35.0 17.3 16.8 15.3 15.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 28.1 16.8 17.7 17.8 19.6
1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development
(GED)) credential.
2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees,
such as law or medical degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in
2013-14. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who
were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are
mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are included in the overall
totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not
sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is
determined during the month of the respondent's 29th birthday.
Table 6. Partner status at age 29 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic
or Latino ethnicity
Percent of population
Characteristic Single Married Cohabiting
Total ......................................... 39.8 40.1 20.1
Less than a high school diploma .............. 39.4 34.0 26.6
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 39.3 36.5 24.2
Some college or associate degree ............. 40.4 39.9 19.7
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 39.5 44.7 15.7
Men ........................................... 44.1 35.6 20.3
Less than a high school diploma .............. 40.6 31.4 28.0
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 42.7 33.7 23.6
Some college or associate degree ............. 45.4 35.2 19.4
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 44.8 39.7 15.6
Women ......................................... 35.4 44.7 19.9
Less than a high school diploma .............. 37.8 37.4 24.8
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 34.5 40.4 25.1
Some college or associate degree ............. 35.4 44.7 20.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 35.5 48.6 15.9
White, non-Hispanic ........................... 34.4 45.5 20.1
Less than a high school diploma .............. 32.6 39.8 27.6
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 33.4 40.7 25.8
Some college or associate degree ............. 34.1 46.0 19.8
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............ . 35.5 49.3 15.2
Black, non-Hispanic ........................... 60.3 21.8 17.9
Less than a high school diploma .............. 57.0 20.4 22.6
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 62.2 19.0 18.8
Some college or associate degree ............. 60.6 21.4 18.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 58.6 28.7 12.8
Hispanic or Latino ............................ 38.7 39.2 22.2
Less than a high school diploma .............. 35.2 34.5 30.3
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 35.2 40.1 24.7
Some college or associate degree ............. 41.1 39.4 19.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 40.9 40.1 19.0
1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education
Development (GED)) credential.
2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional
degrees, such as law or medical degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when
interviewed in 2013-14. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of
young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic
or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race
groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because
their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide
statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the
month of the respondent's 29th birthday. Partner status is determined during the
month of the respondent's 29th birthday.
Table 7. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 28
in 1998-2013 by partner status, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Percent of total weeks ages 18 through 28 in 1998-2013
Characteristic
Single Married Cohabiting
Unem- Not in Unem- Not in Unem- Not in
Employed ployed labor Employed ployed labor Employed ployed labor
force force force
Total, ages 18 to 28 in 1998-2013 ....... 70.0 7.7 22.4 77.0 4.5 18.5 73.4 7.4 19.3
Less than a high school diploma ........ 47.8 13.0 39.2 55.8 11.0 33.2 57.8 13.4 28.8
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 65.1 10.4 24.4 76.2 6.3 17.5 72.4 8.4 19.2
Some college or associate degree ....... 73.3 8.0 18.6 78.9 4.2 16.9 75.3 7.5 17.2
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 75.2 3.6 21.2 79.4 2.4 18.1 78.4 3.2 18.4
Men ..................................... 70.0 8.2 21.8 82.5 5.0 12.5 75.6 8.1 16.3
Less than a high school diploma ........ 53.8 13.8 32.4 70.7 11.7 17.7 66.5 15.4 18.1
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 66.6 11.3 22.2 85.2 6.8 7.9 76.3 8.8 14.8
Some college or associate degree ....... 74.4 7.9 17.7 85.6 4.3 10.1 78.4 7.7 13.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 72.1 3.6 24.3 79.1 2.5 18.4 74.8 3.5 21.7
Women ................................... 69.9 7.1 23.1 72.5 4.1 23.4 71.1 6.6 22.4
Less than a high school diploma ........ 39.4 12.0 48.5 39.7 10.2 50.1 45.1 10.4 44.5
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 62.7 8.9 28.4 65.7 5.6 28.7 67.1 7.9 25.0
Some college or associate degree ....... 72.0 8.2 19.8 73.7 4.1 22.2 72.3 7.3 20.4
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 78.1 3.6 18.2 79.6 2.4 18.0 81.1 3.1 15.8
White, non-Hispanic ..................... 73.7 6.3 20.0 78.3 3.9 17.8 75.6 6.5 17.8
Less than a high school diploma ........ 53.6 11.8 34.5 56.3 11.7 32.0 62.8 12.5 24.6
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 71.6 8.9 19.5 78.2 5.2 16.6 74.8 7.5 17.7
Some college or associate degree ....... 75.4 6.8 17.8 80.3 3.5 16.2 76.7 7.0 16.3
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 76.7 3.2 20.1 79.8 2.3 17.9 79.4 2.8 17.8
Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 61.4 11.4 27.2 69.1 9.0 21.9 63.6 11.8 24.7
Less than a high school diploma ........ 36.9 16.9 46.3 44.0 13.9 42.1 39.3 19.0 41.8
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 53.7 13.1 33.2 68.1 12.2 19.7 65.3 12.0 22.7
Some college or associate degree ....... 67.9 11.1 21.0 71.2 8.6 20.1 67.0 11.5 21.4
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 73.1 5.5 21.3 77.7 3.9 18.4 74.3 3.9 21.8
Hispanic or Latino ...................... 70.4 7.6 22.0 75.0 5.3 19.7 72.4 7.3 20.3
Less than a high school diploma ........ 54.4 10.7 34.9 61.6 7.0 31.4 61.9 11.0 27.1
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 64.5 9.9 25.7 73.3 7.4 19.4 70.3 8.2 21.5
Some college or associate degree ....... 77.3 6.6 16.1 77.8 4.4 17.8 76.1 6.2 17.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 71.1 4.9 24.0 78.7 3.0 18.3 78.5 4.3 17.1
1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or medical
degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 29 when interviewed in 2013-14. The National
Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are
included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not
sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the month
of the respondent's 29th birthday. Partner status is determined during the month of the respondent's 29th birthday.
United States Department of Labor
