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Golden years: older Americans at work and play

By Megan Wilkins

Older people make up a growing share of the American population, and their contributions to the country are numerous. When compared with younger age groups, older Americans are less likely to participate in the labor force or to work full time, allowing them more time for leisure. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has detailed data about older Americans that can help us recognize the impact older adults have on our society and the economy. These data can also help highlight societal aging trends to inform policies and programs.

This article uses data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) to provide insights into the labor force participation and activities of older individuals.

Rate of population growth outpaces other age groups

In 1948 (the start of the CPS time series), there were 10.7 million people age 65 and older in the civilian noninstitutional population. Since 1948, the number of older Americans increased 457 percent, reaching a level of 59.7 million in 2024. In contrast, the total population age 16 and older grew by 161 percent from 1948 to 2024, from 103.1 million to 268.6 million.

This population growth of people age 65 and older far outpaces the population growth of other age groups from 1948 to 2024. For example, the number of individuals in the 16 to 24 age group grew by 95 percent, the 25 to 54 age group grew by 116 percent, and the 55 to 64 age group grew by 220 percent. (See chart 1.)

Labor force participation trends

When an individual is either working or actively seeking work, BLS categorizes them as in the labor force. In 1948, the labor force participation rate of people age 65 and older was 27.0 percent (46.8 percent among men and 9.1 percent among women). Labor force participation among people age 65 and older trended down in the second half of the twentieth century, reaching its lowest point in 1985 at 10.8 percent (15.8 percent for men and 7.3 percent for women).

Since 1985, a growing share of those age 65 and older have chosen to participate in the labor force, because of personal preference or economic necessity. In 2024, 19.5 percent of people age 65 and older participated in the labor force (23.4 percent of men and 16.2 percent of women). (See chart 2.)

Nevertheless, older Americans remain less likely to participate in the labor force than younger people. In 2024, the highest labor force participation rate was among people ages 25 to 54, at 83.6 percent. In the same year, those ages 55 to 64 had a 65.9-percent participation rate, while 55.9 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds were in the labor force. The overall labor force participation rate for people age 16 and older was 62.6 percent. Of the 168.1 million people in the labor force in 2024, 11.6 million, or roughly 7 percent, were age 65 and older.

Moving to part-time work

Older Americans who continue to work often shift toward part-time rather than full-time employment. The CPS defines full-time workers as those who usually work 35 hours or more per week and part-time workers as those who usually work 1 to 34 hours. In 2024, 38.3 percent of employed people age 65 and older worked part time, compared with 14.2 percent of workers ages 55 to 64, 11.1 percent of workers ages 25 to 54, and 42.3 percent of workers ages 16 to 24. Those ages 16 to 24 are often enrolled in school, reducing their likelihood of being employed full time. In each age group, women were more likely than men to work part time. (See chart 3.)

More time for leisure

As older people spend fewer hours working, they have more time for other activities—especially leisure activities. ATUS data from 2023 show that, on average, adults age 65 years and older spent 7.1 hours on leisure and sports activities per day. By contrast, people ages 25 to 54 spent 4.2 hours per day on leisure and sports activities. On an average day, individuals who are ages 25 to 54 are more likely than those age 65 and older to be working or caring for household members, such as children. More than half of older adults’ leisure time was spent watching television (4.3 hours). On an average day, older adults also spent their leisure time reading (36 minutes), socializing and communicating (34 minutes), and relaxing and thinking (31 minutes). For a more in-depth look at variations in leisure time use by age and other characteristics, see this ATUS table on time spent in leisure and sports activities or this ATUS interactive chart on average hours per day spent in selected leisure and sports activities by age.

This article is just a sample of the data the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects on older Americans. For more information about this topic from the Current Population Survey, see information about older worker demographics. Also, see news releases from the American Time Use Survey.

This Beyond the Numbers article was prepared by Megan Wilkins, an economist in the Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics (OEUS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Email: Wilkins.Megan@bls.gov; telephone: 202-691-6516.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services or the information voice phone at: (202) 691-5200. This article is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.