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 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 Total not in the labor force............ 75,956 76,762 14,151 14,383 21,288 21,403 40,517 40,976 28,730 29,119 47,225 47,643 Do not want a job now (1)............. 71,103 71,777 12,422 12,585 19,136 19,238 39,545 39,954 26,565 26,926 44,538 44,851 Want a job (1)........................ 4,852 4,985 1,729 1,798 2,152 2,165 971 1,022 2,165 2,193 2,687 2,792 Did not search for work in previous year............................... 2,715 2,841 886 963 1,145 1,163 684 715 1,126 1,173 1,590 1,668 Searched for work in previous year (2)........................... 2,137 2,144 843 836 1,006 1,002 288 307 1,040 1,020 1,097 1,124 Not available to work now......... 563 599 279 285 242 260 42 54 230 231 333 368 Available to work now............. 1,574 1,545 565 551 764 742 245 252 809 789 765 756 Reason not currently looking: Discouragement over job prospects (3)................... 466 436 142 141 240 217 84 78 288 260 178 176 Reasons other than discouragement............... 1,108 1,109 423 410 524 525 161 175 521 529 587 580 Family responsibilities..... 157 159 28 32 104 105 24 22 38 36 119 123 In school or training....... 244 217 199 179 43 35 2 2 131 118 112 99 Ill health or disability.... 123 119 18 16 71 69 35 34 56 64 67 55 Other (4).................. 584 614 178 182 306 316 100 116 296 311 288 302 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 2005, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.