HOUSEHOLD DATA 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 1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999 Total not in the labor force............ 67,547 68,385 11,343 11,740 18,732 18,785 37,472 37,861 24,799 25,210 42,748 43,175 Do not want a job now(1).............. 62,735 63,818 9,491 9,938 16,580 16,814 36,664 37,066 22,790 23,307 39,945 40,511 Want a job(1)......................... 4,812 4,568 1,852 1,802 2,152 1,971 807 795 2,008 1,903 2,803 2,665 Did not search for work in previous year................................. 2,859 2,723 1,011 981 1,240 1,144 608 599 1,134 1,083 1,725 1,640 Searched for work in previous year(2).............................. 1,953 1,844 841 822 912 827 200 196 875 820 1,078 1,024 Not available to work now......... 643 644 332 345 275 258 36 41 250 249 392 395 Available to work now............. 1,310 1,201 509 477 637 569 164 155 624 571 686 629 Reason not currently looking: Discouragement over job prospects(3)......................... 331 273 108 86 170 146 53 41 198 161 133 113 Reasons other than discouragement....................... 979 927 401 391 467 423 111 114 427 411 552 517 Family responsibilities..... 143 132 37 29 93 92 13 11 23 29 120 103 In school or training....... 206 214 173 176 32 34 1 4 105 110 102 104 Ill health or disability.... 104 97 14 13 69 57 21 26 52 39 52 58 Other(4).................... 525 485 177 173 273 239 75 73 247 234 278 251 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: Beginning in January 1999, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.