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 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 Total not in the labor force............ 78,743 79,501 15,192 15,452 21,343 21,255 42,207 42,794 30,036 30,593 48,707 48,908 Do not want a job now (1)............. 74,040 74,519 13,510 13,719 19,256 19,087 41,275 41,712 27,914 28,365 46,126 46,154 Want a job (1)........................ 4,703 4,983 1,683 1,733 2,088 2,168 933 1,082 2,122 2,228 2,581 2,755 Did not search for work in previous year............................... 2,748 2,826 931 913 1,148 1,145 668 768 1,173 1,187 1,575 1,639 Searched for work in previous year (2)........................... 1,955 2,157 751 819 939 1,023 264 314 950 1,041 1,005 1,115 Not available to work now......... 560 543 272 252 234 244 53 48 223 214 336 329 Available to work now (3)......... 1,395 1,614 479 568 705 780 211 266 726 827 669 787 Reason not currently looking: Discouragement over job prospects (4)................... 369 462 110 145 199 226 61 90 226 282 143 180 Reasons other than discouragement............... 1,026 1,152 370 422 506 554 150 176 500 545 526 607 Family responsibilities..... 160 171 31 35 109 111 21 25 37 45 123 126 In school or training....... 180 218 149 173 27 42 3 3 102 108 78 109 Ill health or disability.... 114 124 11 16 66 68 37 40 57 55 58 69 Other (5)................... 572 640 178 199 304 332 90 108 305 337 267 303 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 Persons who have searched for work in the previous year and are available to work now also are referred to as "marginally attached to the labor force." 4 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. 5 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.