Labor force participation rate of mothers, 1975-2007
January 08, 2009
From March 1975 to March 2000, the labor force participation rate of mothers with children under age 18 rose from 47 percent to a peak of 73 percent.
By 2004, the rate for these mothers had receded to 71 percent, where it remained through 2007.
In general, mothers with older children (6 to 17 years of age, none younger) are more likely to participate in the labor force than mothers with younger children (under 6 years of age).
These data are from the Current Population Survey and were collected in the March CPS. To find out more, see BLS Report 1011, Women in the Labor Force: A Databook (2008 Edition).
SUGGESTED CITATION
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Labor force participation rate of mothers, 1975-2007 on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2009/jan/wk1/art04.htm (visited May 21, 2019).
OF INTEREST
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
- 25 years of Worker Injury, Illness, and Fatality Case Data
Examines detailed historical data on work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatal injuries. - Occupational employment projections through the perspective of education and training
Examines employment, projected employment growth, and wages for occupations with different education and training requirements. - Workers in Alternative Employment Arrangements
A look at independent contractors, on-call workers, temporary help agency workers, and workers provided by contract firms. - Labor force characteristics of people with a disability
Examines the labor force characteristics of people with a disability and compares them with the characteristics of people with no disability.
