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Labor force participation rate at 62.7 percent in September 2018, little changed over last 5 years

October 11, 2018

The labor force participation rate remained at 62.7 percent in September 2018. That is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and older that is working or actively looking for work. The labor force participation rate has fluctuated in a narrow range since late 2013. After rising for more than three decades, the overall labor force participation rate peaked in early 2000 and mostly trended down until late 2013.

Labor force participation rates by age and sex, seasonally adjusted
Month Total, 16 years and older Men, 16 years and older Women, 16 years and older Total, 16 to 24 years Men, 16 to 24 years Women, 16 to 24 years Total, 25 to 54 years Men, 25 to 54 years Women, 25 to 54 years Total, 55 years and older Men, 55 years and older Women, 55 years and older

Jan 1998

67.1% 74.9% 59.9% 66.4% 68.5% 64.2% 84.0% 91.9% 76.4% 31.1% 38.9% 24.9%

Feb 1998

67.1 74.8 59.9 66.0 68.3 63.6 84.1 91.8 76.5 31.1 38.8 25.0

Mar 1998

67.1 74.8 59.9 66.0 68.5 63.4 84.2 92.0 76.7 30.9 38.3 25.0

Apr 1998

67.0 74.8 59.7 65.5 68.1 62.9 83.9 91.8 76.3 31.2 38.9 25.0

May 1998

67.0 74.9 59.7 66.0 68.5 63.5 83.9 91.7 76.3 31.3 39.3 24.9

Jun 1998

67.0 74.9 59.7 65.9 68.5 63.3 84.0 91.7 76.4 31.1 39.0 24.8

Jul 1998

67.0 75.0 59.7 65.5 68.1 62.9 84.1 91.9 76.5 31.2 39.5 24.5

Aug 1998

67.0 74.6 59.8 65.9 68.2 63.6 84.1 91.7 76.6 31.1 38.7 24.9

Sep 1998

67.2 75.0 60.0 66.5 68.8 64.1 84.2 91.7 76.8 31.4 39.5 25.0

Oct 1998

67.2 74.9 60.0 65.9 68.1 63.6 84.1 91.8 76.7 31.5 39.5 25.1

Nov 1998

67.1 75.0 59.9 65.4 68.3 62.5 84.1 91.9 76.6 31.7 39.6 25.4

Dec 1998

67.2 74.9 60.0 65.4 68.3 62.5 84.2 91.8 76.8 31.8 39.6 25.5

Jan 1999

67.2 75.0 60.1 65.5 68.1 62.8 84.6 92.5 77.0 31.5 39.2 25.3

Feb 1999

67.2 74.9 60.0 65.6 67.8 63.5 84.4 92.2 76.8 31.6 39.4 25.3

Mar 1999

67.0 74.7 59.9 65.7 68.0 63.4 84.0 91.8 76.5 31.7 39.4 25.4

Apr 1999

67.1 74.6 60.1 65.2 66.8 63.5 84.1 91.9 76.6 31.8 39.7 25.5

May 1999

67.1 74.8 59.9 65.7 68.4 62.9 84.1 91.8 76.7 31.7 39.4 25.5

Jun 1999

67.1 74.7 60.1 65.2 67.9 62.5 84.1 91.6 76.9 32.1 39.9 25.9

Jul 1999

67.1 74.7 60.0 65.6 68.1 63.1 83.9 91.6 76.6 32.1 39.9 25.8

Aug 1999

67.0 74.6 60.0 65.3 67.8 62.8 84.0 91.5 76.7 32.0 39.7 25.8

Sep 1999

67.0 74.6 60.0 65.6 68.3 62.9 84.0 91.4 76.9 31.9 39.9 25.5

Oct 1999

67.0 74.6 60.1 65.5 68.5 62.5 84.1 91.4 77.0 31.8 39.4 25.6

Nov 1999

67.1 74.6 60.2 65.4 68.0 62.7 84.2 91.6 77.1 31.8 39.5 25.6

Dec 1999

67.1 74.8 60.1 65.6 68.8 62.4 84.0 91.6 76.7 32.1 39.6 26.0

Jan 2000

67.3 75.1 60.1 66.1 69.0 63.1 84.4 92.1 77.0 32.3 40.2 26.0

Feb 2000

67.3 75.3 60.0 66.0 68.9 63.0 84.4 92.2 76.9 32.4 40.6 26.0

Mar 2000

67.3 75.0 60.1 65.9 69.0 62.7 84.3 91.9 77.1 32.4 40.3 26.1

Apr 2000

67.3 74.9 60.3 66.3 69.4 63.2 84.4 91.7 77.3 32.2 39.9 26.1

May 2000

67.1 74.8 60.0 65.7 68.7 62.7 84.1 91.5 77.0 32.2 40.0 26.0

Jun 2000

67.1 74.8 60.0 66.0 68.9 63.2 84.1 91.7 76.8 32.2 39.8 26.2

Jul 2000

66.9 74.5 59.9 65.0 67.6 62.3 83.9 91.5 76.6 32.3 40.0 26.2

Aug 2000

66.9 74.8 59.6 65.8 68.9 62.7 83.8 91.5 76.3 32.5 40.6 26.1

Sep 2000

66.9 74.6 59.8 65.8 68.1 63.5 83.7 91.3 76.4 32.4 40.1 26.2

Oct 2000

66.8 74.5 59.7 65.8 68.4 63.2 83.6 91.2 76.3 32.4 40.1 26.3

Nov 2000

66.9 74.6 59.9 65.6 67.9 63.2 83.8 91.4 76.5 32.3 40.1 26.1

Dec 2000

67.0 74.7 59.9 65.9 68.5 63.2 83.9 91.6 76.5 32.6 40.1 26.5

Jan 2001

67.2 75.0 60.1 66.1 69.2 63.0 84.1 91.7 76.9 32.8 40.7 26.5

Feb 2001

67.1 74.8 60.0 65.6 68.1 63.1 84.1 91.6 76.8 32.7 40.5 26.5

Mar 2001

67.2 74.7 60.2 65.7 68.0 63.4 84.1 91.5 76.9 32.8 40.6 26.6

Apr 2001

66.9 74.6 59.8 65.1 67.8 62.3 83.7 91.4 76.3 33.0 40.8 26.7

May 2001

66.7 74.4 59.7 64.0 66.4 61.5 83.8 91.4 76.4 33.0 40.6 27.0

Jun 2001

66.7 74.3 59.7 64.3 66.6 61.9 83.6 91.3 76.2 33.1 40.6 27.0

Jul 2001

66.8 74.4 59.7 64.3 66.9 61.7 83.6 91.2 76.2 33.2 40.7 27.2

Aug 2001

66.5 74.1 59.5 63.2 65.8 60.6 83.5 91.1 76.2 33.4 41.1 27.3

Sep 2001

66.8 74.5 59.6 64.5 67.5 61.5 83.5 91.1 76.2 33.5 40.9 27.4

Oct 2001

66.7 74.4 59.7 64.2 66.5 61.9 83.6 91.3 76.1 33.5 41.1 27.5

Nov 2001

66.7 74.3 59.8 64.3 66.3 62.2 83.5 91.0 76.2 33.6 41.5 27.3

Dec 2001

66.7 74.3 59.7 63.7 65.9 61.5 83.7 91.2 76.3 33.8 41.6 27.5

Jan 2002

66.5 74.0 59.5 62.9 65.3 60.5 83.5 91.1 76.1 33.8 41.3 27.7

Feb 2002

66.8 74.2 59.9 63.5 65.4 61.5 83.7 91.3 76.4 34.1 41.5 28.0

Mar 2002

66.6 74.1 59.7 64.0 65.9 62.1 83.5 91.3 76.1 33.8 41.1 27.9

Apr 2002

66.7 74.2 59.7 63.3 65.6 61.1 83.6 91.2 76.2 34.2 41.8 28.1

May 2002

66.7 74.5 59.6 63.5 66.2 60.8 83.6 91.3 76.1 34.4 42.3 28.1

Jun 2002

66.6 74.2 59.6 63.4 65.5 61.4 83.2 91.0 75.7 34.6 42.4 28.3

Jul 2002

66.5 74.1 59.5 63.3 65.5 61.2 83.1 90.9 75.5 34.7 42.4 28.6

Aug 2002

66.6 74.1 59.6 63.3 65.2 61.4 83.2 91.1 75.7 34.8 42.3 28.7

Sep 2002

66.7 74.4 59.7 63.5 65.9 61.0 83.3 91.1 75.8 35.2 42.6 29.2

Oct 2002

66.6 74.0 59.6 62.9 65.0 60.7 83.2 91.0 75.7 35.1 42.4 29.1

Nov 2002

66.4 73.7 59.5 62.9 65.3 60.6 82.9 90.6 75.4 35.0 42.0 29.3

Dec 2002

66.3 73.6 59.5 62.7 65.0 60.4 83.1 90.6 75.8 34.9 42.1 29.0

Jan 2003

66.4 73.5 59.7 62.4 65.0 59.8 82.9 90.2 75.8 35.5 42.3 30.0

Feb 2003

66.4 73.7 59.6 62.3 64.9 59.6 83.0 90.5 75.8 35.5 42.6 29.6

Mar 2003

66.3 73.3 59.7 61.4 63.4 59.5 83.1 90.4 76.1 35.5 42.4 29.9

Apr 2003

66.4 73.6 59.7 61.9 64.1 59.7 83.2 90.7 76.0 35.5 42.5 29.8

May 2003

66.4 73.6 59.7 61.9 64.3 59.6 83.1 90.6 75.9 35.6 42.4 30.1

Jun 2003

66.5 73.6 59.9 62.2 64.2 60.1 83.3 90.7 76.1 35.6 42.6 30.1

Jul 2003

66.2 73.4 59.5 61.5 63.7 59.3 83.0 90.6 75.6 35.5 42.4 29.9

Aug 2003

66.1 73.3 59.5 61.1 62.7 59.5 83.0 90.7 75.6 35.7 42.5 30.1

Sep 2003

66.1 73.6 59.1 61.4 63.9 58.9 82.8 90.7 75.3 35.6 42.4 29.9

Oct 2003

66.1 73.4 59.3 61.0 63.3 58.5 82.9 90.7 75.3 35.8 42.7 30.3

Nov 2003

66.1 73.6 59.2 61.0 63.7 58.3 82.8 90.7 75.2 36.1 43.1 30.4

Dec 2003

65.9 73.5 59.0 60.5 63.3 57.6 82.8 90.7 75.1 36.0 43.1 30.3

Jan 2004

66.1 73.7 59.1 61.5 64.3 58.7 82.8 90.7 75.2 36.0 43.2 30.1

Feb 2004

66.0 73.2 59.2 61.0 63.1 58.9 82.7 90.4 75.2 36.2 43.2 30.5

Mar 2004

66.0 73.2 59.3 60.6 63.0 58.3 82.8 90.2 75.5 36.3 43.2 30.6

Apr 2004

65.9 73.1 59.2 61.3 63.8 58.8 82.7 90.3 75.4 35.8 42.4 30.4

May 2004

66.0 73.1 59.3 61.1 62.9 59.3 82.8 90.5 75.3 36.0 42.5 30.6

Jun 2004

66.1 73.3 59.3 60.9 63.3 58.4 82.9 90.5 75.5 36.2 43.1 30.5

Jul 2004

66.1 73.5 59.3 61.3 63.9 58.7 83.0 90.7 75.4 36.1 43.0 30.6

Aug 2004

66.0 73.4 59.0 61.1 63.6 58.5 82.7 90.5 75.1 36.4 43.6 30.6

Sep 2004

65.8 73.2 59.0 60.6 62.9 58.2 82.7 90.4 75.2 36.3 43.2 30.7

Oct 2004

65.9 73.3 59.0 61.6 64.2 58.9 82.6 90.2 75.1 36.2 43.4 30.4

Nov 2004

66.0 73.5 59.0 61.3 64.2 58.3 82.7 90.4 75.2 36.5 43.7 30.6

Dec 2004

65.9 73.2 59.1 61.2 63.6 58.8 82.6 90.3 75.1 36.6 43.5 30.9

Jan 2005

65.8 73.0 59.1 60.8 62.9 58.7 82.7 90.3 75.3 36.3 43.1 30.7

Feb 2005

65.9 73.2 59.1 60.6 63.1 58.1 82.8 90.5 75.3 36.7 43.6 31.0

Mar 2005

65.9 73.2 59.0 60.8 63.1 58.5 82.6 90.5 75.0 36.6 43.7 30.9

Apr 2005

66.1 73.4 59.2 60.7 62.9 58.4 82.7 90.5 75.2 37.2 44.3 31.4

May 2005

66.1 73.5 59.3 60.8 62.8 58.8 82.9 90.7 75.3 37.1 44.2 31.3

Jun 2005

66.1 73.4 59.2 60.8 63.2 58.4 82.6 90.4 75.0 37.2 44.5 31.3

Jul 2005

66.1 73.4 59.2 60.7 62.9 58.4 82.8 90.5 75.3 37.3 44.5 31.4

Aug 2005

66.2 73.5 59.3 60.8 62.8 58.8 82.9 90.9 75.2 37.5 44.6 31.6

Sep 2005

66.1 73.3 59.4 60.6 62.3 59.0 82.9 90.6 75.4 37.6 44.4 31.9

Oct 2005

66.1 73.2 59.5 60.9 62.3 59.5 82.7 90.4 75.2 37.6 44.5 31.9

Nov 2005

66.0 73.2 59.3 61.1 63.5 58.7 82.7 90.3 75.3 37.4 44.1 31.9

Dec 2005

66.0 73.2 59.2 60.4 63.2 57.5 82.7 90.2 75.4 37.6 44.4 31.9

Jan 2006

66.0 73.4 59.1 60.2 62.9 57.5 82.8 90.4 75.3 37.6 44.6 31.7

Feb 2006

66.1 73.5 59.3 60.9 63.7 58.0 82.9 90.6 75.5 37.5 44.6 31.7

Mar 2006

66.2 73.6 59.2 60.6 63.5 57.6 83.0 90.9 75.4 37.6 44.7 31.7

Apr 2006

66.1 73.5 59.2 60.3 63.0 57.6 82.8 90.6 75.3 38.0 45.0 32.2

May 2006

66.1 73.5 59.2 60.5 63.4 57.6 82.8 90.6 75.3 37.9 44.9 32.2

Jun 2006

66.2 73.4 59.5 60.6 63.1 58.1 82.8 90.5 75.4 38.0 44.9 32.4

Jul 2006

66.1 73.1 59.6 60.5 62.8 58.2 83.0 90.4 75.7 38.0 44.4 32.7

Aug 2006

66.2 73.4 59.5 61.0 63.8 58.2 82.9 90.5 75.6 38.1 44.7 32.5

Sep 2006

66.1 73.4 59.3 60.2 63.2 57.2 82.9 90.4 75.5 38.3 45.1 32.6

Oct 2006

66.2 73.4 59.4 60.6 63.4 57.7 82.9 90.4 75.6 38.3 45.1 32.7

Nov 2006

66.3 73.5 59.5 60.8 63.3 58.1 83.0 90.7 75.5 38.4 45.1 32.9

Dec 2006

66.4 73.7 59.5 60.9 63.5 58.3 83.1 90.9 75.5 38.5 45.4 32.9

Jan 2007

66.4 73.8 59.5 60.7 63.1 58.2 83.4 91.5 75.6 38.0 44.6 32.5

Feb 2007

66.3 73.6 59.4 60.2 62.5 57.9 83.2 91.4 75.3 38.3 44.8 33.0

Mar 2007

66.2 73.5 59.4 60.0 62.2 57.8 83.2 91.2 75.3 38.5 45.1 33.0

Apr 2007

65.9 73.4 58.9 59.2 61.7 56.7 83.0 91.1 75.0 38.2 44.9 32.7

May 2007

66.0 73.2 59.1 58.7 61.3 56.0 83.0 90.9 75.3 38.6 45.2 33.1

Jun 2007

66.0 73.3 59.3 59.6 61.8 57.3 82.9 90.7 75.3 38.7 45.3 33.2

Jul 2007

66.0 73.1 59.3 59.0 61.1 56.8 82.9 90.6 75.4 38.9 45.4 33.5

Aug 2007

65.8 72.8 59.2 58.2 60.1 56.3 82.9 90.5 75.5 38.8 45.4 33.2

Sep 2007

66.0 73.0 59.5 59.5 61.1 57.9 82.8 90.4 75.4 38.9 45.4 33.4

Oct 2007

65.8 72.9 59.2 59.2 61.5 56.9 82.7 90.3 75.3 38.7 45.1 33.4

Nov 2007

66.0 73.1 59.4 59.6 61.7 57.4 82.9 90.6 75.5 38.9 45.6 33.4

Dec 2007

66.0 73.1 59.4 59.2 61.0 57.3 83.1 90.9 75.5 38.9 45.5 33.5

Jan 2008

66.2 73.4 59.5 59.5 61.9 57.0 83.3 91.1 75.7 39.1 45.7 33.6

Feb 2008

66.0 73.1 59.3 58.3 60.6 56.0 83.2 91.0 75.5 39.2 45.8 33.8

Mar 2008

66.1 73.1 59.5 58.4 60.9 55.8 83.3 90.9 75.8 39.3 45.8 33.9

Apr 2008

65.9 72.9 59.4 58.8 60.8 56.8 83.1 90.6 75.8 39.0 45.6 33.6

May 2008

66.1 73.1 59.6 59.9 62.4 57.4 83.1 90.5 75.9 39.0 45.6 33.6

Jun 2008

66.1 73.0 59.5 59.2 61.3 57.0 83.1 90.5 76.0 39.2 45.9 33.6

Jul 2008

66.1 73.1 59.4 59.1 61.4 56.8 83.1 90.7 75.7 39.5 46.2 33.9

Aug 2008

66.1 72.9 59.6 58.8 60.8 56.8 83.2 90.5 76.0 39.7 46.3 34.1

Sep 2008

66.0 72.9 59.4 58.8 61.2 56.4 83.1 90.5 75.8 39.5 46.0 34.0

Oct 2008

66.0 72.9 59.6 58.6 61.0 56.1 83.0 90.4 75.8 39.9 46.4 34.4

Nov 2008

65.9 72.7 59.5 57.9 60.0 55.7 83.0 90.3 75.9 39.9 46.4 34.5

Dec 2008

65.8 72.5 59.5 58.2 60.1 56.3 82.8 89.9 75.9 40.0 46.5 34.5

Jan 2009

65.7 72.4 59.4 57.4 59.0 55.7 82.8 90.0 75.8 40.0 46.7 34.5

Feb 2009

65.8 72.4 59.5 58.1 59.8 56.3 82.8 89.8 76.0 39.9 46.6 34.3

Mar 2009

65.6 72.1 59.5 57.7 59.2 56.1 82.6 89.7 75.7 39.9 46.2 34.5

Apr 2009

65.7 72.3 59.4 57.9 59.9 55.8 82.8 89.9 75.9 39.8 46.0 34.7

May 2009

65.7 72.4 59.4 57.5 59.6 55.5 82.9 90.1 75.8 40.2 46.6 34.7

Jun 2009

65.7 72.2 59.5 57.5 58.9 56.0 82.9 90.0 75.9 40.1 46.6 34.8

Jul 2009

65.5 72.0 59.4 57.2 58.7 55.7 82.8 89.8 75.8 40.0 46.3 34.8

Aug 2009

65.4 72.0 59.2 56.7 58.3 55.2 82.8 90.1 75.6 40.0 46.2 34.8

Sep 2009

65.1 71.7 58.9 56.1 57.8 54.4 82.5 89.8 75.3 39.9 46.0 34.7

Oct 2009

65.0 71.6 58.8 55.4 57.3 53.5 82.5 89.8 75.3 39.9 46.2 34.7

Nov 2009

65.0 71.5 58.9 55.6 56.9 54.2 82.4 89.6 75.4 40.0 46.3 34.8

Dec 2009

64.6 71.0 58.6 55.3 56.5 54.0 82.0 88.9 75.2 39.9 46.1 34.7

Jan 2010

64.8 71.2 58.8 54.9 56.4 53.5 82.4 89.2 75.6 40.0 46.1 34.8

Feb 2010

64.9 71.2 58.9 55.2 56.4 54.0 82.3 89.2 75.5 40.1 46.4 34.8

Mar 2010

64.9 71.4 58.8 55.3 57.2 53.3 82.4 89.5 75.5 40.2 46.4 34.9

Apr 2010

65.2 71.8 58.9 55.9 57.9 53.8 82.6 89.7 75.6 40.3 46.5 35.1

May 2010

64.9 71.4 58.8 55.5 56.7 54.1 82.3 89.5 75.2 40.4 46.5 35.2

Jun 2010

64.6 71.1 58.5 54.7 56.3 53.1 82.2 89.5 75.1 40.3 46.4 35.3

Jul 2010

64.6 71.2 58.4 55.1 56.8 53.3 81.9 89.2 74.8 40.4 46.5 35.3

Aug 2010

64.7 71.3 58.6 55.5 57.0 54.1 82.0 89.3 74.9 40.5 46.8 35.3

Sep 2010

64.6 71.1 58.5 54.8 56.2 53.4 82.0 89.3 74.9 40.4 46.5 35.3

Oct 2010

64.4 70.8 58.4 55.2 56.4 54.1 81.8 88.9 74.9 40.0 46.3 34.7

Nov 2010

64.6 70.9 58.6 55.4 57.2 53.6 82.0 88.9 75.3 40.1 46.2 35.1

Dec 2010

64.3 70.7 58.3 54.7 56.6 52.8 81.9 88.6 75.2 40.2 46.3 35.0

Jan 2011

64.2 70.5 58.3 55.3 57.2 53.3 81.7 88.6 74.9 39.9 45.7 35.0

Feb 2011

64.1 70.5 58.1 54.9 56.5 53.3 81.6 88.7 74.7 40.0 46.0 34.9

Mar 2011

64.2 70.4 58.3 55.1 56.5 53.7 81.7 88.8 74.9 40.0 45.9 35.0

Apr 2011

64.2 70.5 58.3 54.8 56.1 53.5 81.7 88.7 74.9 40.2 46.3 35.1

May 2011

64.1 70.5 58.1 54.5 55.9 53.0 81.7 89.0 74.6 40.2 46.2 35.1

Jun 2011

64.0 70.4 58.0 54.4 55.9 52.8 81.7 88.9 74.6 40.2 46.5 35.0

Jul 2011

64.0 70.3 58.0 54.2 55.6 52.8 81.4 88.6 74.5 40.2 46.4 35.0

Aug 2011

64.1 70.5 58.1 55.1 56.9 53.2 81.6 88.7 74.7 40.3 46.4 35.1

Sep 2011

64.2 70.5 58.3 55.3 56.8 53.7 81.5 88.6 74.6 40.6 46.6 35.4

Oct 2011

64.1 70.4 58.1 55.6 57.3 53.8 81.3 88.4 74.4 40.6 46.7 35.3

Nov 2011

64.1 70.5 58.0 55.4 57.4 53.4 81.5 88.7 74.4 40.4 46.5 35.2

Dec 2011

64.0 70.5 57.8 55.2 57.5 52.8 81.6 88.7 74.6 40.3 46.4 35.1

Jan 2012

63.7 70.2 57.7 54.6 56.4 52.7 81.5 88.8 74.5 40.1 46.2 34.9

Feb 2012

63.8 70.2 57.8 54.9 56.2 53.6 81.5 88.7 74.5 40.4 46.5 35.1

Mar 2012

63.8 70.2 57.8 54.7 55.8 53.5 81.5 88.9 74.5 40.4 46.6 35.2

Apr 2012

63.7 70.1 57.6 54.7 56.6 52.8 81.4 88.7 74.4 40.3 46.2 35.1

May 2012

63.7 70.2 57.7 54.8 56.5 53.1 81.4 88.6 74.5 40.5 47.0 35.0

Jun 2012

63.8 70.3 57.7 55.0 56.8 53.2 81.5 88.9 74.4 40.6 46.9 35.3

Jul 2012

63.7 70.2 57.6 55.1 57.0 53.1 81.4 88.6 74.5 40.2 46.6 34.7

Aug 2012

63.5 69.9 57.6 54.3 55.8 52.8 81.4 88.6 74.5 40.4 46.8 35.1

Sep 2012

63.6 70.1 57.6 54.7 56.3 53.0 81.5 88.6 74.6 40.4 46.9 35.0

Oct 2012

63.8 70.3 57.7 55.2 57.2 53.2 81.6 88.8 74.7 40.7 47.1 35.2

Nov 2012

63.6 70.1 57.6 55.3 57.0 53.5 81.2 88.4 74.3 40.7 47.3 35.2

Dec 2012

63.7 70.1 57.7 55.2 56.5 53.9 81.4 88.6 74.6 40.7 47.1 35.3

Jan 2013

63.7 70.3 57.5 55.6 57.7 53.5 81.1 88.4 74.0 40.7 47.1 35.3

Feb 2013

63.4 70.0 57.3 55.0 56.4 53.5 81.0 88.5 73.9 40.6 46.8 35.3

Mar 2013

63.3 69.7 57.2 54.3 56.0 52.6 81.0 88.3 73.9 40.5 46.7 35.2

Apr 2013

63.4 69.9 57.3 55.2 56.4 53.9 81.0 88.6 73.7 40.4 46.5 35.2

May 2013

63.4 69.9 57.3 54.9 56.7 53.0 81.2 88.6 74.0 40.5 46.5 35.3

Jun 2013

63.4 69.9 57.4 55.4 57.0 53.9 81.2 88.6 74.0 40.5 46.5 35.4

Jul 2013

63.3 69.8 57.3 55.1 56.6 53.6 81.2 88.5 74.1 40.2 46.4 34.9

Aug 2013

63.3 69.6 57.3 54.9 56.4 53.4 81.0 88.3 74.0 40.4 46.4 35.3

Sep 2013

63.2 69.8 57.1 55.6 57.8 53.3 81.0 88.4 73.9 40.1 46.2 35.0

Oct 2013

62.8 69.2 56.8 54.8 56.3 53.3 80.6 88.0 73.5 40.1 46.1 34.9

Nov 2013

63.0 69.5 56.9 54.8 55.9 53.8 81.0 88.6 73.8 39.9 46.2 34.6

Dec 2013

62.9 69.2 57.0 54.7 55.7 53.8 80.8 88.1 73.8 39.9 46.1 34.7

Jan 2014

62.9 69.3 57.0 54.6 55.6 53.5 81.0 88.2 73.9 39.8 45.9 34.6

Feb 2014

62.9 69.1 57.2 54.1 54.9 53.3 81.1 88.1 74.3 40.1 45.9 35.1

Mar 2014

63.1 69.4 57.3 55.5 57.2 53.7 81.2 88.3 74.2 39.9 45.8 34.8

Apr 2014

62.8 69.1 57.0 54.5 56.1 52.9 80.8 88.0 74.0 39.9 45.8 34.9

May 2014

62.8 69.0 57.0 55.0 55.9 54.0 80.7 88.0 73.7 40.1 45.9 35.1

Jun 2014

62.8 69.2 56.9 54.6 56.2 53.0 81.0 88.3 74.0 40.0 46.1 34.8

Jul 2014

62.9 69.3 56.9 55.3 57.1 53.4 80.8 88.3 73.7 40.1 45.9 35.0

Aug 2014

62.9 69.3 56.9 54.5 56.2 52.8 81.1 88.5 74.0 39.9 45.9 34.8

Sep 2014

62.8 69.2 56.8 55.2 56.9 53.5 80.8 88.1 73.7 39.9 45.8 34.8

Oct 2014

62.9 69.1 57.1 56.1 57.2 55.0 80.9 88.1 73.9 40.0 45.9 34.9

Nov 2014

62.9 69.1 57.0 55.7 56.8 54.5 80.9 88.1 73.9 40.1 46.1 35.0

Dec 2014

62.8 69.3 56.7 54.9 56.6 53.3 80.9 88.2 73.8 39.9 46.1 34.7

Jan 2015

62.9 69.4 56.8 55.1 56.9 53.3 81.0 88.5 73.9 40.0 46.0 34.9

Feb 2015

62.7 69.2 56.6 55.2 56.7 53.7 80.9 88.4 73.7 39.7 45.6 34.6

Mar 2015

62.7 69.2 56.6 54.7 55.8 53.6 80.8 88.6 73.4 39.9 46.0 34.7

Apr 2015

62.8 69.3 56.6 54.5 56.2 52.9 81.0 88.5 73.8 40.0 46.2 34.7

May 2015

62.9 69.4 56.8 55.6 57.3 53.9 81.0 88.3 74.0 40.0 46.3 34.7

Jun 2015

62.7 69.0 56.8 55.0 55.7 54.3 80.9 88.2 73.8 39.9 46.0 34.7

Jul 2015

62.6 69.0 56.6 54.9 55.8 54.0 80.7 88.1 73.5 40.0 46.3 34.6

Aug 2015

62.6 68.9 56.7 55.2 55.9 54.4 80.7 88.2 73.5 39.8 45.7 34.7

Sep 2015

62.3 68.7 56.4 54.5 55.6 53.4 80.6 88.1 73.3 39.7 45.5 34.7

Oct 2015

62.5 68.8 56.6 54.9 56.0 53.8 80.7 88.2 73.6 39.9 45.7 34.9

Nov 2015

62.5 68.7 56.8 54.8 55.9 53.6 80.9 88.0 73.9 40.0 45.7 35.0

Dec 2015

62.7 69.0 56.9 55.6 56.6 54.6 81.0 88.2 73.9 39.9 45.9 34.8

Jan 2016

62.8 69.0 56.9 54.9 55.8 54.1 81.2 88.5 74.1 40.0 46.0 34.8

Feb 2016

62.9 69.3 56.9 55.4 56.8 53.9 81.2 88.6 74.1 40.2 46.1 35.0

Mar 2016

63.0 69.4 57.1 55.4 56.5 54.3 81.4 88.8 74.3 40.1 46.1 35.0

Apr 2016

62.8 69.3 56.8 55.1 56.4 53.8 81.2 88.6 74.2 40.1 46.3 34.8

May 2016

62.6 69.0 56.7 55.2 56.1 54.3 81.1 88.4 74.0 39.8 46.0 34.5

Jun 2016

62.7 69.3 56.6 54.9 56.5 53.2 81.3 88.6 74.1 40.0 46.3 34.6

Jul 2016

62.8 69.3 56.7 54.9 56.3 53.5 81.2 88.4 74.3 40.3 46.8 34.6

Aug 2016

62.8 69.3 56.8 55.6 57.0 54.2 81.3 88.4 74.4 39.9 46.3 34.4

Sep 2016

62.9 69.3 56.9 55.3 56.7 53.8 81.5 88.6 74.6 40.0 46.2 34.7

Oct 2016

62.8 69.2 56.8 54.9 56.5 53.3 81.6 88.6 74.8 40.0 46.3 34.6

Nov 2016

62.7 69.0 56.7 55.2 56.8 53.5 81.3 88.5 74.4 39.9 45.9 34.7

Dec 2016

62.7 69.1 56.8 55.3 56.9 53.6 81.4 88.5 74.5 39.7 45.7 34.6

Jan 2017

62.9 69.3 56.9 55.7 57.3 54.0 81.5 88.9 74.5 39.9 45.8 34.8

Feb 2017

62.9 69.3 57.0 55.7 57.2 54.3 81.7 88.7 74.8 40.0 46.0 34.8

Mar 2017

63.0 69.2 57.2 55.8 56.9 54.8 81.7 88.6 75.0 40.1 46.1 34.9

Apr 2017

62.9 69.2 57.1 55.8 57.4 54.3 81.7 88.6 75.1 39.9 46.1 34.6

May 2017

62.7 68.9 56.9 55.1 56.7 53.5 81.6 88.5 74.9 39.9 45.9 34.8

Jun 2017

62.8 69.0 57.1 55.3 56.6 53.9 81.6 88.5 75.0 40.0 46.1 34.9

Jul 2017

62.9 68.9 57.2 55.4 56.4 54.4 81.7 88.5 75.2 40.1 46.0 34.9

Aug 2017

62.9 69.0 57.2 55.7 56.5 54.8 81.6 88.4 75.0 40.1 46.2 34.8

Sep 2017

63.0 69.2 57.2 56.2 57.1 55.2 81.8 88.6 75.2 40.1 46.4 34.8

Oct 2017

62.7 69.0 56.8 55.4 56.3 54.5 81.6 88.6 74.9 39.9 46.1 34.5

Nov 2017

62.7 68.9 57.0 54.9 55.9 54.0 81.7 88.5 75.2 39.9 46.2 34.5

Dec 2017

62.7 69.0 56.9 54.6 55.5 53.6 81.9 89.0 75.0 39.9 45.9 34.7

Jan 2018

62.7 69.2 56.7 55.8 57.3 54.3 81.8 89.0 74.8 39.5 45.8 34.1

Feb 2018

63.0 69.4 57.0 56.0 57.2 54.8 82.2 89.3 75.2 39.9 46.0 34.5

Mar 2018

62.9 69.3 56.9 56.0 57.5 54.5 82.1 89.2 75.1 39.8 45.8 34.6

Apr 2018

62.8 69.2 56.7 55.3 56.6 53.9 82.0 89.3 74.8 39.9 46.0 34.6

May 2018

62.7 69.2 56.7 55.1 56.1 54.1 81.8 89.1 74.8 40.1 46.4 34.7

Jun 2018

62.9 69.1 57.2 55.4 56.3 54.5 82.0 88.9 75.3 40.1 46.1 34.8

Jul 2018

62.9 68.9 57.3 55.5 55.5 55.4 82.1 88.8 75.5 40.1 46.3 34.7

Aug 2018

62.7 68.8 57.0 53.8 54.3 53.3 82.0 88.8 75.3 40.2 46.4 34.8

Sep 2018

62.7 68.7 57.0 55.0 55.1 54.9 81.8 88.6 75.2 40.1 46.1 34.9

The labor force participation rate of people ages 16 to 24 was 55.0 percent in September 2018. Their rate has remained fairly steady since late 2009. Before that, the labor force participation rate for people ages 16 to 24 had trended downward for several decades.

Among people ages 25 to 54, the labor force participation rate was 81.8 percent in September 2018. The rate has edged up in recent years for women and men.

Among people age 55 and older, the labor force participation rate was 40.1 percent in September 2018. The rates for women and men in this age group had trended upward through the end of the 2007–09 recession and have been fairly steady since then.

These data are from the Current Population Survey. For more information, see "The Employment Situation — September 2018." We also have more charts on the labor force and unemployment.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Labor force participation rate at 62.7 percent in September 2018, little changed over last 5 years at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/labor-force-participation-rate-at-62-7-percent-in-september-2018-little-changed-over-last-5-years.htm (visited October 12, 2024).

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