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 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 Total not in the labor force............ 74,658 75,956 13,800 14,151 20,980 21,288 39,878 40,517 28,197 28,730 46,461 47,225 Do not want a job now (1)............. 69,932 71,103 12,079 12,422 18,857 19,136 38,996 39,545 26,073 26,565 43,859 44,538 Want a job (1)........................ 4,726 4,852 1,721 1,729 2,124 2,152 882 971 2,124 2,165 2,603 2,687 Did not search for work in previous year............................... 2,631 2,715 882 886 1,129 1,145 620 684 1,127 1,126 1,503 1,590 Searched for work in previous year (2)........................... 2,096 2,137 838 843 995 1,006 262 288 996 1,040 1,099 1,097 Not available to work now......... 564 563 274 279 248 242 43 42 231 230 333 333 Available to work now............. 1,531 1,574 565 565 747 764 220 245 765 809 766 765 Reason not currently looking: Discouragement over job prospects (3)................... 457 466 134 142 248 240 75 84 266 288 190 178 Reasons other than discouragement............... 1,075 1,108 431 423 499 524 145 161 499 521 576 587 Family responsibilities..... 153 157 37 28 94 104 22 24 35 38 118 119 In school or training....... 239 244 194 199 42 43 3 2 125 131 114 112 Ill health or disability.... 113 123 15 18 72 71 26 35 51 56 62 67 Other (4)................... 570 584 184 178 292 306 94 100 288 296 282 288 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 2004, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.