Labor force participation of seniors, 1948-2007
July 29, 2008
In recent years a larger share of people 65 and older is staying in or returning to the labor force.
The labor force participation rate for older workers—the percentage of person 65 and older who are working or seeking employment—has been rising since the late 1990s. This is especially notable because the 65-and-over labor force participation rate had been at historic lows during the mid 1980s and early 1990s.
These data are from the Current Population Survey program. To learn more, see "Older Workers," BLS Spotlight on Statistics, July 2008.
SUGGESTED CITATION
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Labor force participation of seniors, 1948-2007 on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2008/jul/wk4/art02.htm (visited May 27, 2018).
OF INTEREST
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
-
Race, Economics, and Social Status
Examines Consumer Expenditure Survey data to explore social and economic factors by race and ethnicity. -
African Americans in the U.S. Labor Force
A look at employment and unemployment trends of African Americans from 1972 to 2016 and projected to 2026. -
Industry on Tap: Breweries
A look at employment, wages, and job safety in breweries and producer prices for beer. -
Differences in Parents’ Time Use between the Summer and the School Year
A look at how parents of school-age children spend their time in the summer and the school year.
