For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, April 2, 2024 USDL-24-0626
Technical information: (202) 691-7410 * nls_info@bls.gov * www.bls.gov/nls
Media contact: (202) 691-5902 * PressOffice@bls.gov
LABOR MARKET EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, PARTNER STATUS,
AND HEALTH FOR THOSE BORN 1980-1984
Americans born in the early 1980s held an average of 9.0 jobs from age 18 through age 36, the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These adults held more jobs at younger ages:
they held an average of 5.1 jobs from ages 18 to 23 compared with 2.5 jobs from ages 30 to 36.
While aged 18 to 36, 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 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 36 to 42
when interviewed for the 20th time in 2021-22. The survey provides information on work and
non-work experiences, schooling, training, income, assets, health, 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 news release focuses on the employment experiences, educational attainment, training, partner
status, and health of these individuals from their 18th birthday until they turned 37.
Highlights from the longitudinal survey among this group include:
--Individuals held an average of 9.0 jobs from ages 18 through 36, with over half of these
jobs being held between the ages of 18 and 23. (See table 1.)
--Among individuals who started jobs while ages 18 to 24, the average individual had 61
percent of their jobs end in less than a year, compared with an average of 34 percent
among those who started jobs while ages 25 to 36. In this older age range, job duration is
significantly longer for those with more education. Among individuals with less than a
high school education who started jobs while ages 25 to 36, the average individual had 46
percent of their jobs end in less than a year, compared with 27 percent among those with a
bachelor's degree and higher. (See table 2.)
--Women with less than a high school diploma were employed an average of 41 percent of weeks
from ages 18 to 36, while men with less than a high school diploma were employed 65
percent of weeks. Among individuals with a bachelor's degree and higher, women were
employed an average of 82 percent of weeks and men were employed an average of 84 percent
of weeks. (See table 3.)
--Individuals were employed for an average of 76 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 36. This
varied across age brackets: from ages 18 to 23 individuals were employed 70 percent of
weeks, from ages 24 to 29 individuals were employed 78 percent of weeks, and from ages 30
to 36 individuals were employed 79 percent of weeks. (See table 4.)
--At their 27th birthday, 33 percent of women had received a bachelor's degree and higher,
compared with 25 percent of men. By their 37th birthday, 40 percent of women held a
bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 30 percent of men. Seventy-six percent of women
had at least attended some college by age 37, compared with 66 percent of men. (See table
5.)
--By their 37th birthday, 64 percent of individuals had received training outside of their
regular schooling that offers academic diplomas or degrees. Participation in training
programs varied by education level: 42 percent of those with less than a high school
education, 59 percent of high school graduates with no college, 70 percent of those with
some college or associate degree, and 65 percent of those with a bachelor's degree and
higher. (See table 6.)
--At the time of their 37th birthday, 53 percent of individuals were married, 16 percent
were cohabiting, and 31 percent were single. The percent of individuals who were married
varied by education; 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 7.)
--Men who were single at age 37 were employed 71 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 36,
compared with 85 percent for those who were married at age 37 and 79 percent for those who
were cohabiting. The percentage of weeks employed varied less by partner status for women;
women who were single at age 37 were employed 70 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 36,
compared with 73 percent for those who were married and 72 percent for those who were
cohabiting. (See table 8.)
--The percent of individuals reporting that their health limits the kind or amount of work
they can do increased as they aged. At 27 years of age, 7 percent of individuals reported
that their health limits the kind or amount of work they can do, while at 37 years of age,
9 percent were limited. (See table 9.)
Employment Experiences from Age 18 through Age 36
Americans born in 1980-84 held an average of 9.0 jobs from ages 18 through 36, with over half
of these jobs held from ages 18 to 23. Men held an average of 8.9 jobs and women held an
average of 9.1 jobs. Women at higher levels of educational attainment held more jobs than
women at lower levels. Women with a bachelor's degree held 9.5 jobs from ages 18 through 36,
compared with 7.4 jobs for female high school dropouts. Men held a similar number of jobs
regardless of their level of educational attainment. (See table 1.) 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 5.1 jobs in the 6-year period
from ages 18 to 23. The number of jobs individuals held dropped to 3.3 jobs in the 6-year
period from ages 24 to 29, and then dropped further to 2.5 jobs in the 7-year period from ages
30 to 36. The pattern of individuals holding fewer jobs as they aged was similar across
groupings by sex, race and ethnicity, and level of educational attainment.
Duration of Employment Relationships
The length of time a worker remained with an employer increased with the age at which the
worker began the job. Of the jobs begun between ages 18 to 24, the average worker had 61
percent of jobs end in less than a year and 95 percent of jobs end in less than 6 years. Among
jobs begun when 25 to 36 years old, the average worker had 34 percent of jobs end in less than
a year and 70 percent end in less than 6 years.
Job duration is also related to education. Seventy percent of the jobs the average high school
dropout started while aged 18 to 24 ended within a year, compared with 59 percent of jobs
started at those ages by the average individual with a bachelor's degree. (See table 2.)
Among individuals with less than a high school diploma who started jobs when they were 25 to
36 years of age, the average individual had 46 percent of these jobs end in less than a year
and 80 percent end in less than 6 years. In comparison, for the average individual with a
bachelor's degree who started jobs at those ages, 27 percent of the jobs ended in under 1
year and only 65 percent ended in less than 6 years.
Percent of Weeks Employed, Unemployed, and Not in the Labor Force
On average, individuals born in 1980-84 were employed during 76 percent of all the weeks from
age 18 through age 36, unemployed--that is, without a job but seeking work--5 percent of the
weeks, and not in the labor force--that is, neither working nor seeking work--19 percent of the
weeks. (See table 3.)
As a group, 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 decreased with
increases in educational attainment.
Men were more active in the labor market than women from ages 18 to 36. As a group, they spent
less time not in the labor force than women (15 percent compared with 23 percent) and more
time employed (80 percent compared with 72 percent). This pattern is also seen at each level
of educational attainment except among those with a bachelor's degree. Men with a bachelor's
degree and higher spent only slightly more weeks employed as similarly educated women
(84 percent and 82 percent, respectively). (See table 3.)
Employment gaps existed between racial and ethnic groups. On average, White individuals were
employed during 78 percent of the weeks that occurred from age 18 through age 36, Hispanic
or Latino individuals were employed during 75 percent of the weeks, and Black individuals were
employed during 68 percent of the weeks.
The employment gap between White and Black individuals is more pronounced at lower levels of
educational attainment. White high school dropouts spent 58 percent of weeks employed from
ages 18 through 36, while Black dropouts spent 41 percent of weeks employed during these ages.
White and Black college graduates spent a similar percentage of weeks employed (83 percent
compared with 82 percent).
The employment gap between Hispanic or Latino and Black individuals is also more pronounced at
lower levels of educational attainment but does not exist among those with a bachelor's degree
and higher. Hispanic or Latino dropouts spent 61 percent of weeks employed from ages 18
through 36, while Black dropouts spent 41 percent of weeks employed during these ages.
Hispanic or Latino and Black college graduates both spent 82 percent of weeks employed from
ages 18 through 36.
Individuals spent 70 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 23, 78 percent of weeks
employed from ages 24 to 29, and 79 percent of weeks employed from ages 30 to 36. Men spent
71 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 23; this increased to 82 percent of weeks from
ages 24 to 29 and then increased to 85 percent from ages 30 to 36. Women spent 69 percent of
weeks employed from ages 18 to 23; this increased to 74 percent of weeks from ages 24 to 29
and ages 30 to 36. Men were employed a higher percentage of weeks than women within all age
brackets. (See table 4.)
As individuals aged, they generally spent less time out of the labor force. Men spent 23 percent of
weeks not in the labor force from 18 to 23 years of age, and 11 percent of weeks out of the
labor force from ages 24 to 29 and ages 30 to 36. Women spent 26 percent of weeks out of the
labor force from ages 18 to 23, 20 percent of weeks out of the labor force at ages 24 to 29,
and 23 percent of weeks out of the labor force at ages 30 to 36. At ages 30 to 36, women were
about twice as likely as men to not be in the labor force.
Employment gaps between racial and ethnic groups also existed within each age bracket
analyzed. Within each age bracket, White workers were employed a higher percentage of weeks
than both Black and Hispanic or Latino workers, and Hispanic or Latino workers were employed
a higher percentage of weeks than Black workers.
Educational Attainment at Age 37
At 37 years of age, 34 percent of individuals had received a bachelor's degree while
37 percent had attended some college or received an associate degree without earning a
bachelor's degree. Twenty-three percent had a high school diploma or General Education
Development (GED) credential and no further schooling. (See table 5.)
Women were more likely than men to have received a bachelor's degree by age 27, and this gap
continued to be seen at age 37. Twenty-five percent of men had earned a bachelor's degree by
age 27, compared with 33 percent of women. By 37 years of age, 30 percent of men had earned a
bachelor's degree, compared to 40 percent of women. In total, 66 percent of men had either
attended some college or received a bachelor's degree, compared with 76 percent of women. In
addition to being more likely to attend college, women were more likely to have finished their
college degree.
At age 37, there were large differences in educational attainment among racial and ethnic
groups. Black and Hispanic or Latino individuals were more likely than White individuals to
have dropped out of high school. In comparison, White individuals were more likely to have
ever attended college (73 percent of White individuals, compared to 64 percent of Black
individuals and 62 percent of Hispanic or Latino individuals) and nearly twice as likely to
have received a bachelor's degree by this age. Thirty-eight percent of White individuals had
received a bachelor's degree at age 37, compared with 21 percent of both Black and Hispanic
or Latino individuals.
Within each racial and ethnic group examined at age 37, 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 (44 percent compared with 35 percent), Black women were more likely than
Black men (29 percent compared with 16 percent), and Hispanic or Latino women were more likely
than Hispanic or Latino men (25 percent compared with 19 percent) to have received a
bachelor's degree.
Training Received by Age 37
By 37 years of age, 64 percent of individuals had received training outside of any regular
schooling that offers academic diplomas or degrees. Training programs may make it easier to
find a job, improve job skills, or learn a new job, and include vocational, technical, or
trade, apprenticeship, school based, formal employer training, training at work by outsider,
training outside of work, government, or other training. (See table 6.) (See the Technical
Note for additional information on training compared with regular school.)
Men were more likely than women to have participated in an apprenticeship program (5 percent
compared with 1 percent) or government training program (11 percent compared with 4 percent)
by age 36, while men were less likely to have received school-based training than women (11
percent compared with 16 percent).
Training was more common for people in their twenties compared with their thirties (38 percent
compared with 24 percent). Those with higher levels of educational attainment were more likely
to have received any type of training. By their 37th birthday, 42 percent of high school
dropouts, 59 percent of high school graduates with no college, 70 percent of individuals with
some college or an associate degree, and 65 percent of college graduates had received some
type of training.
Partner Status and Employment Experiences
At 27 years of age, 34 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were married, 21 percent were
cohabiting (unmarried and living with a partner), and 45 percent were single (not married and
not living with a partner). Comparatively, at 37 years of age, 53 percent were married, 16
percent were cohabiting, and 31 percent were single. (See table 7.)
At age 37, 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 37th
birthday, 34 percent of high school dropouts, 42 percent of high school graduates with no
college, 51 percent of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 66 percent
of college graduates were married. Twenty-six percent of those with less than a high school
diploma were cohabiting, compared with only 11 percent of those with a bachelor's degree and
higher.
Partner status varied greatly by race and ethnicity. Black individuals were more likely to be
single than either White or Hispanic or Latino individuals. At 37 years of age, 54 percent of
Black individuals were single, compared with 26 percent of White individuals and 34 percent of
Hispanic or Latino individuals. Black individuals were significantly less likely to be married
than either White individuals or Hispanic or Latino individuals (33 percent compared with 59
percent and 48 percent, respectively).
At both ages 27 and 37, women were more likely to be married and less likely to be single than
men. By their 37th birthday, 55 percent of women were married, 30 percent were single, and 15
percent were cohabiting, while 51 percent of men were married, 33 percent were single, and 17
percent were cohabiting.
Compared with individuals who were single at age 37, those who were married or cohabiting
worked more weeks from ages 18 to 36, spent fewer weeks unemployed, and spent fewer weeks not
in the labor force. From ages 18 to 36, single individuals spent 71 percent of weeks employed,
8 percent of weeks unemployed, and 21 percent of weeks not in the labor force, while those who
were married spent 79 percent of weeks employed, 4 percent of weeks unemployed, and 17 percent
of weeks not in the labor force. Cohabiting individuals spent 75 percent of weeks employed, 6
percent of weeks unemployed, and 18 percent of weeks not in the labor force. (See table 8.)
Men accounted for most of the variation in employment experiences by partner status. Men
married at age 37 worked more weeks, were unemployed fewer weeks, and were less likely to be
not in the labor force than either single or cohabiting men during ages 18 to 36. Men married
at age 37 spent 85 percent of weeks employed, compared with 71 percent for single men and 79
percent for cohabiting men. They spent 4 percent of weeks unemployed, compared with 8 percent
for single men and 7 percent for cohabiting men. Married men spent 11 percent of weeks out of
the labor force, compared with 20 percent for single men and 15 percent for cohabiting men. In
contrast, there were limited differences in the employment experiences of women by partner
status. Women who were married at age 37 were employed a slightly higher percentage of weeks
than non-married women (73 percent compared with 70 percent for single women and 72 percent
for cohabiting women) during ages 18 to 36 and were unemployed a lower percentage of weeks
than either single or cohabiting women (4 percent compared with 7 percent and 6 percent,
respectively).
Married individuals also spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single individuals
within racial and ethnic groups. Among the White population, married individuals spent 80
percent of weeks employed compared with 74 percent of weeks for single individuals. Among the
Black population, married individuals spent 73 percent of weeks employed compared with 64
percent of weeks for single individuals. Among the Hispanic or Latino population, married
individuals spent 78 percent of weeks employed compared with 71 percent of weeks for single
individuals.
Health Limits and Work
Individuals in this cohort report whether their health limits the kind or amount of work they
can do; the percentage of individuals reporting such limitations increased as they aged. At
27 years of age, 7 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were limited in the kind or amount
of work they can do; at 37 years of age, 9 percent were limited. (See table 9.)
At ages 27 and 37, those with lower levels of education were generally more likely to be
limited in the kind or amount of work they can do than those with higher levels of education.
By their 37th birthday, 23 percent of high school dropouts, 12 percent of high school
graduates with no college, 10 percent of individuals with some college or an associate degree,
and 5 percent of college graduates were limited in the kind or amount of work they can do.
Women were more likely than men to report that health limits the kind or amount of work they
can do. At 27 years of age, 7 percent of women and 6 percent of men were limited in the kind
or amount of work they can do; at 37 years of age, 11 percent of women and 7 percent of men
were limited in the kind or amount of work they can do.
Technical Note
The estimates in this news release were obtained using data from the first 20 rounds of the National
Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). This survey is conducted by the Center for Human
Resource Research at The Ohio State University and the National Opinion Research Center at the
University of Chicago under the direction and sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor's
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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.
This sample size is not adjusted for sample members who have died.
Individuals were surveyed annually from 1997–2011 and biennially since 2011. In the 2021-2022
survey round, 6713 individuals responded to the survey, for a retention rate of 75 percent
(representing a 77 percent response rate among those sample members who are still living).
Only these individuals are included in the estimates in this news release. This news release examines
the period from respondents' 18th birthday until their 37th birthday. All results are weighted
using the 2021-2022 survey weights that correct for the oversampling, interview nonresponse, and
permanent attrition from the survey. Prior NLSY97 news releases used weights based on the
survey round a respondent turned a particular age. 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 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 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 37 during calendar year 2021, whereas the
oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned 37 during calendar year 2017. Some respondents may
not be used in all tables if information about their work history is incomplete.
As with age, the education attainment of individuals may change from year to year. Educational
attainment is taken at the time of the respondents' 37th 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.
Definitions
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.
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.
Training compared with regular school. Regular school is one that offers an academic diploma or
degree, e.g., high school, college, graduate school, law school, or nursing program leading to
an RN degree. Not included as regular school are training at a technical institute, license
trade programs, etc. unless the credits obtained are transferable to a regular school and could
count toward an academic diploma or degree.
Partner Status. Partner status is determined during the month the individual turned 37.
Respondents who are married but not living with their spouses are counted as married. To be
marked as cohabitating, 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 cohabitating are counted as single.
Race and ethnic groups. In this news 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 White individuals, Black individuals, and Hispanic or Latino individuals, but these groups
are not mutually exclusive. The term Hispanic or Latino is considered to be an ethnicity group,
and Hispanic or Latino individuals can be of any race. Most other BLS publications include
estimates for Hispanic or Latino individuals in the White and Black race groups in addition to
the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity group.
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Table 1. Number of jobs held by individuals from age 18 through age 36 in 1998-2021 by educational attainment,
sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and age
Average number of jobs for people
ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 (1)
Characteristic
Ages 18 Ages 24 Ages 30
Total (2) to 23 to 29 to 36
Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ..................... 9.0 5.1 3.3 2.5
Less than a high school diploma .................... 8.2 4.5 2.8 2.3
High school graduates, no college (3) ............... 9.0 5.1 3.2 2.5
Some college or associate degree .................... 9.2 5.1 3.2 2.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) .................... 9.1 5.2 3.4 2.6
Men ................................................... 8.9 5.0 3.3 2.6
Less than a high school diploma .................... 8.8 5.0 3.1 2.4
High school graduates, no college (3) ............... 9.0 5.1 3.3 2.6
Some college or associate degree .................... 9.0 5.0 3.2 2.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) .................... 8.6 4.8 3.3 2.6
Women ................................................. 9.1 5.3 3.2 2.5
Less than a high school diploma .................... 7.4 3.9 2.5 2.0
High school graduates, no college (3) ............... 9.0 5.1 3.1 2.4
Some college or associate degree .................... 9.3 5.2 3.1 2.8
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) .................... 9.5 5.6 3.5 2.6
White, non-Hispanic ................................... 9.2 5.3 3.3 2.5
Less than a high school diploma .................... 9.0 5.1 3.0 2.4
High school graduates, no college (3) ............... 9.2 5.3 3.2 2.5
Some college or associate degree .................... 9.3 5.2 3.2 2.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) .................... 9.2 5.4 3.5 2.5
Black, non-Hispanic ................................... 8.8 4.7 3.2 2.6
Less than a high school diploma .................... 6.6 3.5 2.4 1.9
High school graduates, no college (3) ............... 9.0 4.8 3.3 2.5
Some college or associate degree .................... 9.7 5.1 3.4 3.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) .................... 9.0 4.8 3.4 2.8
Hispanic or Latino .................................... 8.3 4.6 3.1 2.4
Less than a high school diploma ..................... 8.0 4.2 3.0 2.3
High school graduates, no college (3) ............... 8.0 4.5 3.0 2.3
Some college or associate degree .................... 8.8 5.0 3.2 2.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (4) .................... 8.8 4.7 3.3 2.7
(1) Time span includes up to the month before the respondent's 37th 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 individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
(4) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. The National Longitudinal
Survey of Youth 1997 consists of individuals 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 37th birthday.
Table 2. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for individuals who started jobs from age 18 through age 36
in 1998-2021 by age at start of job, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Cumulative percent distribution of duration of
completed employment relationships
Characteristic
Percent
Less than Less than Less than Less than Less than of jobs
1 year 2 years 3 years 6 years 13 years ongoing
in 2021
survey
Total, ages 18 to 24 in 1998-2009 ....... 61.2 79.0 86.9 94.8 96.4 96.4
Men .................................... 60.8 78.3 86.3 93.8 95.5 95.5
Women .................................. 61.6 79.7 87.6 95.7 97.3 97.3
White, non-Hispanic .................... 60.5 78.2 86.4 94.4 96.3 96.3
Black, non-Hispanic .................... 66.7 83.4 90.0 96.2 97.2 97.2
Hispanic or Latino ..................... 58.7 77.4 85.7 94.6 96.1 96.1
Less than a high school diploma ........ 69.5 84.5 89.7 94.8 96.8 96.8
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 62.2 78.8 86.1 94.4 96.2 96.2
Some college or associate degree ....... 57.3 76.1 85.0 95.6 96.9 96.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 59.3 79.0 88.1 95.1 96.5 96.5
Total, ages 25 to 36 in 2005-2021 ....... 33.5 49.8 59.1 70.4 76.2 76.2
Men .................................... 31.9 47.7 56.8 68.5 74.2 74.2
Women .................................. 35.1 51.9 61.5 72.4 78.2 78.2
White, non-Hispanic .................... 32.6 48.6 57.8 69.0 75.0 75.0
Black, non-Hispanic .................... 37.3 54.5 64.8 76.1 80.5 80.5
Hispanic or Latino .................... 33.6 49.8 59.3 71.0 76.8 76.8
Less than a high school diploma ........ 45.7 62.6 71.2 80.0 85.0 85.0
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 36.8 53.3 62.3 73.2 78.6 78.6
Some college or associate degree ....... 30.8 48.4 58.7 69.9 75.3 75.3
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 27.3 42.9 52.4 65.0 71.4 71.4
(1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED))
credential.
(2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 37th birthday.
Table 3. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor
force from age 18 through age 36 in 1998-2021 by educational attainment, sex, race,
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Percent of total weeks while ages
18 to 36 in 1998-2021
Characteristic
Not in
labor
Employed Unemployed force
Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ........... 75.9 5.4 18.7
Less than a high school diploma ............ 54.5 10.4 35.1
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 73.4 6.9 19.7
Some college or associate degree ........... 79.8 4.5 15.8
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 82.5 2.6 14.8
Men ......................................... 79.5 6.0 14.6
Less than a high school diploma ............ 65.4 11.5 23.2
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 78.0 7.3 14.7
Some college or associate degree ........... 85.1 4.3 10.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 83.8 2.6 13.5
Women ....................................... 72.2 4.9 22.9
Less than a high school diploma ............ 41.0 9.1 49.8
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 67.3 6.4 26.3
Some college or associate degree ........... 75.3 4.6 20.1
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 81.5 2.6 15.9
White, non-Hispanic ......................... 78.0 4.4 17.6
Less than a high school diploma ............ 57.8 9.3 32.9
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 75.7 5.8 18.6
Some college or associate degree ........... 80.4 3.9 15.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 83.0 2.3 14.8
Black, non-Hispanic ......................... 67.6 9.9 22.5
Less than a high school diploma ............ 41.0 15.0 44.1
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 65.7 11.3 23.1
Some college or associate degree ........... 75.3 7.9 16.7
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 81.9 4.7 13.4
Hispanic or Latino .......................... 74.9 5.8 19.3
Less than a high school diploma ............ 61.0 8.6 30.4
High school graduates, no college (1) ...... 74.1 6.3 19.6
Some college or associate degree ........... 79.6 4.4 16.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ........... 81.9 3.4 14.7
(1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education
Development (GED)) credential.
(2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when
interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 37th birthday.
Table 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor
force from age 18 through age 36 in 1998-2021 by age, educational attainment, sex, race,
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Percent of total weeks
Age and characteristic
Not in
Employed Unemployed labor
force
Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ............... 75.9 5.4 18.7
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................... 69.8 6.1 24.1
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................... 78.2 6.2 15.6
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................... 79.2 4.4 16.5
Men, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ................. 79.5 6.0 14.6
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................... 70.9 6.6 22.5
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................... 82.0 6.9 11.1
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................... 84.6 4.8 10.6
Women, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ............... 72.2 4.9 22.9
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................... 68.6 5.5 25.8
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................... 74.2 5.5 20.3
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................... 73.5 4.0 22.6
White, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 . 78.0 4.4 17.6
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................... 72.8 4.8 22.4
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................... 80.3 5.2 14.5
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 .................... 80.5 3.5 16.0
Black, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 . 59.0 10.9 30.1
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................... 58.7 10.9 30.4
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................... 69.7 10.9 19.5
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................... 73.3 8.3 18.4
Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 .. 74.9 5.8 19.3
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................... 69.2 6.7 24.1
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................... 77.1 6.5 16.4
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................... 77.9 4.6 17.5
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when
interviewed in 2021-2022. 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. Educational attainment of individuals at ages 27 and 37 in 2007-2021 by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
(Percent distribution)
Educational Attainment
High School Graduates College
General
Characteristic High High Educational Bachelor's
school school Development Some degree and
dropouts Total diploma (GED) recipients Total college higher (1)
Total, age 27 in 2007-2011 .. 8.5 25.1 17.7 7.4 66.4 37.9 28.5
White, non-Hispanic ........ 6.8 23.9 17.5 6.4 69.4 36.2 33.2
Black, non-Hispanic ........ 12.2 30.3 18.1 12.1 57.5 42.2 15.4
Hispanic or Latino ......... 13.5 29.1 21.6 7.4 57.5 42.3 15.1
Men ......................... 9.2 29.0 20.3 8.7 61.8 37.3 24.5
White, non-Hispanic ........ 7.1 27.5 20.3 7.1 65.4 36.2 29.2
Black, non-Hispanic ........ 14.3 36.8 20.2 16.6 48.9 38.4 10.5
Hispanic or Latino ......... 14.4 32.5 23.5 8.9 53.3 41.0 12.2
Women ....................... 7.7 21.0 15.0 5.9 71.3 38.5 32.8
White, non-Hispanic ........ 6.4 20.1 14.5 5.5 73.5 36.1 37.4
Black, non-Hispanic ........ 10.0 23.5 15.9 7.5 66.5 46.0 20.5
Hispanic or Latino ......... 12.5 25.2 19.5 5.7 62.3 43.9 18.5
Total, age 37 in 2017-2021 .. 6.3 22.9 7.8 15.1 70.6 36.8 33.8
White, non-Hispanic ........ 5.3 21.5 6.3 15.2 72.9 34.6 38.3
Black, non-Hispanic ........ 8.8 27.0 12.6 14.4 63.7 42.7 21.0
Hispanic or Latino ......... 10.0 28.2 9.5 18.8 61.6 40.9 20.8
Men ......................... 6.8 27.4 9.8 17.6 65.8 35.8 30.0
White, non-Hispanic ........ 5.6 25.6 7.6 18.0 68.9 34.3 34.5
Black, non-Hispanic ........ 10.3 34.2 17.7 16.5 55.3 39.6 15.8
Hispanic or Latino ......... 10.7 31.3 11.4 20.0 58.1 39.5 18.6
Women ....................... 5.7 18.2 5.7 12.5 76.1 36.6 39.5
White, non-Hispanic ........ 4.9 17.2 5.0 12.2 77.9 33.8 44.1
Black, non-Hispanic ........ 7.2 19.5 7.4 12.2 73.3 44.8 28.5
Hispanic or Latino ......... 9.3 24.6 7.2 17.4 66.1 41.1 25.0
(1) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
NOTE: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of individuals 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 27th or 37th birthday.
Table 6. Percent of individuals who received any training from age 18 through age 36 in 1997-2021 by types of training, educational attainment, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity,
and age
Types of training
Characteristic Any Vocational, Apprentice- School Employer Training Training Government Other
Training Technical, ship Based Training at Work by Outside of
or Trade Outsider Work
Total, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ................................ 63.8 25.4 3.3 13.2 28.1 10.9 10.3 7.5 13.3
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 38.2 12.8 1.8 5.8 14.1 3.1 3.2 5.2 3.9
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 37.7 10.8 1.2 4.8 15.6 5.8 5.3 2.9 5.8
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 23.5 6.8 0.5 4.1 6.1 3.4 3.0 1.2 5.0
Men, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 .................................. 63.5 27.0 5.2 10.5 28.3 10.5 9.5 10.6 12.6
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 38.8 13.0 2.8 5.0 13.8 2.6 2.9 7.4 3.9
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 37.8 11.7 1.8 3.8 15.7 5.7 4.9 4.3 5.4
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 24.4 8.8 0.9 2.7 6.7 3.3 2.8 1.7 4.6
Women, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ................................ 64.2 23.7 1.2 16.1 27.9 11.3 11.2 4.2 14.2
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 37.6 12.6 0.6 6.6 14.3 3.6 3.5 2.9 4.0
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 37.6 9.9 0.5 5.8 15.5 5.8 5.7 1.4 6.2
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 22.5 4.6 0.1 5.5 5.6 3.5 3.1 0.6 5.4
White, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 .................. 63.0 23.3 3.4 11.8 29.9 11.9 11.3 7.3 12.2
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 37.4 11.6 1.9 4.8 15.2 3.5 3.5 5.0 3.6
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 37.2 9.8 1.2 4.1 16.5 6.3 6.1 2.9 5.1
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 23.7 6.5 0.5 4.0 6.5 3.7 3.1 1.1 4.7
Black, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 .................. 65.7 31.6 2.4 18.3 21.8 8.0 5.9 8.5 17.2
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 41.4 16.4 1.1 9.8 10.0 1.8 1.8 6.3 5.2
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 39.4 13.8 1.0 7.3 12.1 4.2 2.4 2.7 8.6
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 21.9 7.4 0.4 3.4 4.6 2.7 1.8 1.1 5.4
Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021 ................... 63.5 28.8 3.5 13.6 25.6 9.2 10.2 8.0 14.2
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 38.5 15.0 1.7 6.7 12.3 2.9 3.3 5.6 4.3
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 37.7 12.8 1.2 5.0 14.2 5.2 5.0 3.1 5.9
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 22.1 6.4 0.9 3.8 5.8 2.5 2.8 1.4 5.3
Less than a high school diploma, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021....... 42.2 15.9 0.7 16.1 9.6 3.2 2.6 3.9 10.9
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 24.4 8.3 0.3 9.3 4.6 0.9 0.8 1.9 4.3
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 20.7 6.3 0.1 5.9 4.7 1.1 1.0 1.8 4.6
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 12.5 4.3 0.3 2.5 2.3 1.5 0.9 0.3 2.8
High school graduates, no college (1), ages 18 to 36 in
1998-2015 ...................................... 9.4 31.3 4.9 11.4 20.8 5.4 5.6 5.5 10.2
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 39.0 18.3 2.5 7.5 10.6 1.5 2.5 4.1 3.7
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 28.7 12.6 1.4 2.9 9.4 2.7 2.2 1.7 3.9
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 17.2 6.2 1.0 2.6 4.5 1.5 1.4 0.4 3.5
Some college or associate degree, ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021...... 69.6 31.6 3.8 14.5 29.9 11.4 10.1 10.2 14.8
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 45.4 16.4 2.0 6.7 16.2 3.8 3.4 7.1 4.4
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 41.1 13.2 1.7 5.0 15.8 5.7 5.2 3.7 6.3
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 26.1 8.5 0.6 4.2 6.4 3.2 2.6 1.6 5.8
Bachelor's degree and higher (2), ages 18 to 36 in 1998-2021...... 64.5 16.8 2.0 12.5 34.5 15.4 14.9 6.7 14.3
Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ..................................... 32.6 6.2 1.3 3.1 15.8 3.9 3.8 4.4 3.5
Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014 ..................................... 43.1 8.0 0.7 5.5 21.4 8.7 8.2 2.9 6.8
Ages 30 to 36 in 2010-2021 ..................................... 26.9 5.8 0.2 5.2 7.7 5.1 4.8 1.3 5.5
(1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
(2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 37th birthday.
Table 7. Partner status at Age 27 and Age 37 by educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Percent of individuals
Age 27 in 2007-2011 Age 37 in 2017-2021
Characteristic Single Married Cohabiting Single Married Cohabiting
Total ......................................... 45.2 33.8 21.0 31.4 52.8 15.8
Less than a high school diploma .............. 43.1 29.0 27.9 40.5 33.9 25.6
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 42.3 33.5 24.3 38.0 42.1 19.9
Some college or associate degree ............. 45.4 34.8 19.8 33.5 50.6 15.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 48.1 34.3 17.6 23.1 65.7 11.2
Men ........................................... 51.4 28.6 20.0 32.6 50.6 16.8
Less than a high school diploma .............. 48.8 25.0 26.2 41.2 35.7 23.1
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 47.4 28.6 24.0 38.6 40.4 21.1
Some college or associate degree ............. 51.6 29.7 18.7 34.8 49.3 15.9
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 56.7 28.2 15.0 22.4 64.9 12.7
Women ......................................... 38.7 39.3 22.0 30.1 55.2 14.7
Less than a high school diploma .............. 36.1 34.0 30.0 39.6 31.7 28.7
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 34.7 40.6 24.7 37.2 44.8 18.0
Some college or associate degree ............. 39.2 39.9 20.9 32.2 51.9 16.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 41.3 39.1 19.6 23.5 66.4 10.1
White, non-Hispanic ........................... 40.5 38.3 21.2 25.5 58.9 15.6
Less than a high school diploma .............. 37.2 37.1 25.7 35.3 36.1 28.6
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 36.6 37.7 25.7 31.2 47.9 21.0
Some college or associate degree ............. 40.3 39.1 20.6 27.7 56.6 15.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 44.3 38.0 17.7 19.1 70.0 10.9
Black, non-Hispanic ........................... 63.2 18.4 18.4 53.6 32.6 13.8
Less than a high school diploma .............. 63.7 12.3 24.1 60.3 29.3 10.4
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 60.9 17.0 22.2 59.0 23.4 17.6
Some college or associate degree ............. 64.7 20.3 15.1 53.5 32.7 13.8
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 63.5 20.8 15.6 44.7 44.9 10.4
Hispanic or Latino ............................ 43.1 34.1 22.8 33.9 47.5 18.6
Less than a high school diploma .............. 36.2 27.0 36.8 35.0 33.3 31.6
High school graduates, no college (1) ........ 41.8 37.2 21.0 38.6 43.6 17.7
Some college or associate degree ............. 43.6 35.0 21.4 33.6 46.8 19.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ............. 50.0 32.1 17.9 27.5 60.5 12.0
(1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
(2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned Age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 and partner status are
determined during the month of the respondent's 27th or 37th birthday.
Table 8. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 36 in 1998-2021 by
partner status, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Percent total weeks while ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2021
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 34 in 1998-2021 ....... 70.9 7.8 21.3 79.0 3.8 17.2 75.4 6.2 18.3
Less than a high school diploma ........ 47.6 11.7 40.7 60.9 9.3 29.9 57.2 9.9 32.9
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 68.4 9.3 22.3 76.7 5.0 18.2 74.6 7.1 18.3
Some college or associate degree ....... 79.0 5.6 15.4 80.2 3.7 16.1 79.7 4.9 15.4
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 81.3 4.0 14.7 82.8 2.1 15.2 83.7 3.1 13.2
Men ..................................... 71.4 8.4 20.2 84.9 4.1 11.0 78.6 6.8 14.6
Less than a high school diploma ........ 52.9 12.6 34.5 75.7 9.8 14.5 71.6 12.0 16.4
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 69.9 9.6 20.5 84.9 5.4 9.7 77.6 7.4 14.9
Some college or associate degree ....... 81.8 5.4 12.8 87.7 3.6 8.7 83.8 4.6 11.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 79.6 4.2 16.2 85.5 1.9 12.6 82.6 3.6 13.7
Women ................................... 70.3 7.2 22.6 73.3 3.5 23.2 71.6 5.5 22.8
Less than a high school diploma ........ 41.2 10.6 48.2 39.6 8.5 51.9 42.3 7.7 50.0
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 66.3 8.9 24.8 66.9 4.6 28.5 70.2 6.6 23.2
Some college or associate degree ....... 76.3 5.8 18.0 74.6 3.9 21.6 76.4 5.2 18.4
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 82.6 3.8 13.5 80.6 2.2 17.2 84.8 2.7 12.6
White, non-Hispanic ..................... 73.8 6.3 19.8 80.0 3.3 16.8 77.5 5.5 16.9
Less than a high school diploma ........ 51.1 9.8 39.1 65.0 8.7 26.3 57.0 9.4 33.7
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 71.5 7.8 20.7 77.5 4.4 18.2 77.3 6.3 16.4
Some college or associate degree ....... 79.0 4.8 16.2 81.0 3.4 15.6 80.9 4.3 14.8
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 82.2 3.2 14.6 83.0 1.9 15.1 84.4 2.9 12.7
Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 64.2 10.9 24.9 73.2 8.0 18.8 68.0 10.6 21.5
Less than a high school diploma ........ 37.6 15.0 47.4 43.8 13.0 43.2 53.4 19.4 27.2
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 62.8 12.0 25.2 71.3 10.0 18.7 65.6 0.9 23.5
Some college or associate degree ....... 77.0 7.8 15.2 75.1 7.1 17.9 70.2 10.4 19.3
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 79.7 5.9 14.4 83.8 3.3 12.9 83.0 5.3 11.7
Hispanic or Latino ...................... 71.3 8.0 20.7 77.8 4.1 18.1 74.0 6.0 20.0
Less than a high school diploma ........ 58.8 10.6 30.7 62.4 8.0 29.6 62.1 7.0 30.8
High school graduates, no college (1) .. 70.0 8.6 21.3 77.1 4.4 18.5 74.7 6.4 18.9
Some college or associate degree ....... 80.3 5.0 14.7 79.9 4.1 16.0 77.3 4.1 18.7
Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ....... 78.8 5.7 15.5 82.8 2.3 14.9 84.0 3.8 12.2
(1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
(2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 37 when interviewed in 2021-2022. 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 and partner status are determined during the month of the respondent's 37th birthday.
Table 9. Percent of individuals whose health limits the kind or amount of work they can do by age,
educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
Characteristic Percent of individuals
Age 27 Age 37
(in 2007-2012)(3) (in 2016(*)-2022)
Total ................................... 6.6 9.1
Less than a high school diploma ....... 20.2 22.6
High school graduates, no college (1).. 8.8 11.8
Some college or associate degree ...... 6.6 9.7
Bachelor's degree and higher (2)....... 2.8 4.5
Men ..................................... 5.8 7.1
Less than a high school diploma ....... 13.6 14.3
High school graduates, no college (1).. 8.0 8.5
Some college or associate degree ...... 5.6 8.3
Bachelor's degree and higher (2)....... 2.5 3.0
Women ................................... 7.4 11.1
Less than a high school diploma........ 28.2 31.9
High school graduates, no college (1).. 10.1 16.7
Some college or associate degree ...... 7.6 11.1
Bachelor's degree and higher (2)....... 3.0 5.7
White non-Hispanic ...................... 6.5 8.8
Less than a high school diploma ....... 21.9 25.4
High school graduates, no college (1).. 7.9 11.9
Some college or associate degree ...... 7.3 9.6
Bachelor's degree and higher (2)....... 2.9 4.6
Black non-Hispanic ...................... 8.0 11.5
Less than a high school diploma ....... 21.7 24.5
High school graduates, no college (1).. 10.5 12.3
Some college or associate degree ...... 6.1 12.4
Bachelor's degree and higher (2)....... 3.5 4.1
Hispanic or Latino ...................... 6.3 7.3
Less than a high school diploma ....... 13.1 11.9
High school graduates, no college (1).. 9.7 11.8
Some college or associate degree ...... 4.2 5.1
Bachelor's degree and higher (2)....... 2.6 3.7
(1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
(2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, professional, or doctoral degrees.
(3) In 2007, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 began asking respondents whether health limits the kind or amount of work they can do.
NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned Age 37 when interviewed in 2021-22. 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 37th
birthday. (*)Health limit is determined for the interview date in which the respondent first turned Age 27 or Age 37. If not interviewed at that age, then
health limit is determined using data from the prior age.
United States Department of Labor
