Despite a softening labor market, Latina workers continue to register record-high employment rates in 2026. Young Hispanic workers are not seeing similar gains.
Around this time last year, we wrote about the remarkable resilience Hispanic workers were showing in the labor market. Despite weaker job growth, the share of Hispanic workers with a job remained high, largely driven by a record-high employment rate among Latina workers.
Today, despite the ongoing economic and social toll of Trump’s draconian mass deportation policy, prime-age Latina workers continue to drive much of the strength in the employment rates of Hispanic workers. But we also see signs of weakness for younger workers between the ages of 16 and 24. New data released this year also show that Hispanic adults and their families share growing concerns about their employment security. We highlight each of these dynamics below.
Prime-age Latina workers are writing much of the employment story for Hispanic workers in 2026
To trace the performance of Hispanic workers since last year, we examine 12-month moving averages of the employment-to-population ratio for prime-age Hispanic workers (ages 25–54) available in the EPI Data Library. There are a few reasons for this that are important to highlight. First, our 12-month moving average smooths much of the month-to-month noise due to sampling size limitations. We also focus exclusively on employment rates because it is not influenced by changes in labor force participation in the way that the unemployment rate is. Lastly, by focusing on prime-age workers—who are less likely to be out of the labor force due to schooling or retirement—our analysis is less influenced by changes in college attendance and the aging of the population.
As seen in Figure A, the average employment rate for prime-age Hispanic workers stands at a historic high as of August 2026. These workers have managed to make inroads in employment despite a sluggish labor market experiencing weak-to-modest job growth.
This story of resilience amid uncertainty continues to be largely attributed to prime-age Latina workers, who have managed to not just maintain their employment rate from 2025, but to build on last year’s gains. 70.7% of prime-age Latina workers had a job between September 2025 and August 2026—a new record high. While a significantly larger share of prime-age Latinos work relative to Latinas, their employment rate remains largely unchanged and below previous peaks.
Figure A
Prime-age Latinas continue to drive the growth in employment rates of Hispanic workers in 2026: Prime-age Hispanic employment-to-population ratios by gender, 1976–2026
| Date | Overall | Latina | Latino |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-1976 | 62.7% | 43.5% | 84.8% |
| Jan-1977 | 62.7% | 43.5% | 84.8% |
| Feb-1977 | 62.7% | 43.6% | 84.8% |
| Mar-1977 | 62.8% | 43.5% | 84.9% |
| Apr-1977 | 62.9% | 43.5% | 85.1% |
| May-1977 | 63.0% | 43.6% | 85.2% |
| Jun-1977 | 63.2% | 43.7% | 85.4% |
| Jul-1977 | 63.5% | 44.0% | 85.6% |
| Aug-1977 | 63.8% | 44.2% | 85.9% |
| Sep-1977 | 64.0% | 44.4% | 86.2% |
| Oct-1977 | 64.1% | 44.4% | 86.3% |
| Nov-1977 | 64.4% | 44.6% | 86.6% |
| Dec-1977 | 64.6% | 44.8% | 86.9% |
| Jan-1978 | 64.8% | 45.1% | 87.1% |
| Feb-1978 | 65.0% | 45.3% | 87.2% |
| Mar-1978 | 65.3% | 45.6% | 87.4% |
| Apr-1978 | 65.4% | 45.9% | 87.4% |
| May-1978 | 65.5% | 46.0% | 87.5% |
| Jun-1978 | 65.5% | 46.0% | 87.5% |
| Jul-1978 | 65.5% | 46.1% | 87.6% |
| Aug-1978 | 65.6% | 46.2% | 87.7% |
| Sep-1978 | 65.7% | 46.4% | 87.5% |
| Oct-1978 | 66.0% | 46.9% | 87.5% |
| Nov-1978 | 66.2% | 47.3% | 87.6% |
| Dec-1978 | 66.5% | 47.7% | 87.7% |
| Jan-1979 | 66.7% | 48.0% | 87.8% |
| Feb-1979 | 67.0% | 48.3% | 88.1% |
| Mar-1979 | 67.0% | 48.3% | 88.2% |
| Apr-1979 | 67.1% | 48.4% | 88.3% |
| May-1979 | 67.2% | 48.4% | 88.3% |
| Jun-1979 | 67.4% | 48.6% | 88.3% |
| Jul-1979 | 67.6% | 48.9% | 88.4% |
| Aug-1979 | 67.6% | 49.0% | 88.3% |
| Sep-1979 | 67.6% | 48.9% | 88.4% |
| Oct-1979 | 67.6% | 48.8% | 88.6% |
| Nov-1979 | 67.5% | 48.6% | 88.4% |
| Dec-1979 | 67.4% | 48.4% | 88.3% |
| Jan-1980 | 67.5% | 48.5% | 88.2% |
| Feb-1980 | 67.4% | 48.4% | 88.1% |
| Mar-1980 | 67.4% | 48.6% | 87.9% |
| Apr-1980 | 67.5% | 48.7% | 87.8% |
| May-1980 | 67.6% | 49.1% | 87.7% |
| Jun-1980 | 67.5% | 49.2% | 87.5% |
| Jul-1980 | 67.4% | 49.1% | 87.2% |
| Aug-1980 | 67.3% | 49.2% | 87.0% |
| Sep-1980 | 67.1% | 49.1% | 86.8% |
| Oct-1980 | 67.0% | 49.1% | 86.4% |
| Nov-1980 | 67.0% | 49.3% | 86.2% |
| Dec-1980 | 66.9% | 49.4% | 86.0% |
| Jan-1981 | 66.8% | 49.4% | 85.7% |
| Feb-1981 | 66.7% | 49.5% | 85.5% |
| Mar-1981 | 66.8% | 49.7% | 85.5% |
| Apr-1981 | 67.0% | 50.0% | 85.6% |
| May-1981 | 67.2% | 50.2% | 85.7% |
| Jun-1981 | 67.2% | 50.3% | 85.7% |
| Jul-1981 | 67.4% | 50.5% | 85.8% |
| Aug-1981 | 67.5% | 50.5% | 86.0% |
| Sep-1981 | 67.6% | 50.6% | 86.0% |
| Oct-1981 | 67.7% | 50.6% | 86.1% |
| Nov-1981 | 67.8% | 50.7% | 86.1% |
| Dec-1981 | 67.8% | 50.8% | 86.0% |
| Jan-1982 | 67.7% | 50.8% | 86.0% |
| Feb-1982 | 67.7% | 50.8% | 85.9% |
| Mar-1982 | 67.6% | 50.8% | 85.8% |
| Apr-1982 | 67.3% | 50.5% | 85.5% |
| May-1982 | 67.0% | 50.3% | 85.2% |
| Jun-1982 | 66.8% | 50.2% | 84.8% |
| Jul-1982 | 66.5% | 50.1% | 84.4% |
| Aug-1982 | 66.3% | 50.1% | 84.0% |
| Sep-1982 | 66.2% | 50.1% | 83.8% |
| Oct-1982 | 66.1% | 50.1% | 83.6% |
| Nov-1982 | 65.7% | 49.8% | 83.2% |
| Dec-1982 | 65.5% | 49.5% | 83.1% |
| Jan-1983 | 65.2% | 49.2% | 82.9% |
| Feb-1983 | 64.9% | 48.9% | 82.6% |
| Mar-1983 | 64.6% | 48.7% | 82.2% |
| Apr-1983 | 64.5% | 48.6% | 82.1% |
| May-1983 | 64.3% | 48.4% | 82.0% |
| Jun-1983 | 64.4% | 48.4% | 82.0% |
| Jul-1983 | 64.4% | 48.4% | 82.2% |
| Aug-1983 | 64.6% | 48.6% | 82.3% |
| Sep-1983 | 64.7% | 48.7% | 82.3% |
| Oct-1983 | 64.8% | 48.9% | 82.3% |
| Nov-1983 | 64.9% | 49.1% | 82.4% |
| Dec-1983 | 65.0% | 49.2% | 82.4% |
| Jan-1984 | 65.2% | 49.6% | 82.5% |
| Feb-1984 | 65.4% | 49.8% | 82.7% |
| Mar-1984 | 65.7% | 50.1% | 83.0% |
| Apr-1984 | 65.9% | 50.3% | 83.2% |
| May-1984 | 66.1% | 50.5% | 83.3% |
| Jun-1984 | 66.3% | 50.7% | 83.6% |
| Jul-1984 | 66.4% | 50.8% | 83.8% |
| Aug-1984 | 66.6% | 50.9% | 84.0% |
| Sep-1984 | 66.7% | 51.1% | 84.1% |
| Oct-1984 | 66.9% | 51.3% | 84.3% |
| Nov-1984 | 67.2% | 51.5% | 84.7% |
| Dec-1984 | 67.5% | 51.7% | 84.9% |
| Jan-1985 | 67.6% | 52.0% | 84.9% |
| Feb-1985 | 67.8% | 52.2% | 84.9% |
| Mar-1985 | 67.9% | 52.3% | 84.9% |
| Apr-1985 | 68.1% | 52.4% | 84.9% |
| May-1985 | 68.1% | 52.4% | 85.0% |
| Jun-1985 | 68.1% | 52.4% | 84.8% |
| Jul-1985 | 68.2% | 52.4% | 84.9% |
| Aug-1985 | 68.3% | 52.5% | 84.9% |
| Sep-1985 | 68.4% | 52.6% | 85.0% |
| Oct-1985 | 68.4% | 52.5% | 84.9% |
| Nov-1985 | 68.4% | 52.4% | 84.8% |
| Dec-1985 | 68.3% | 52.3% | 84.7% |
| Jan-1986 | 68.3% | 52.2% | 84.8% |
| Feb-1986 | 68.3% | 52.1% | 84.8% |
| Mar-1986 | 68.3% | 52.1% | 84.9% |
| Apr-1986 | 68.4% | 52.2% | 84.9% |
| May-1986 | 68.4% | 52.3% | 84.8% |
| Jun-1986 | 68.6% | 52.5% | 84.8% |
| Jul-1986 | 68.7% | 52.9% | 84.7% |
| Aug-1986 | 68.7% | 53.1% | 84.6% |
| Sep-1986 | 68.8% | 53.2% | 84.6% |
| Oct-1986 | 68.9% | 53.5% | 84.4% |
| Nov-1986 | 69.0% | 53.8% | 84.5% |
| Dec-1986 | 69.2% | 54.0% | 84.5% |
| Jan-1987 | 69.3% | 54.2% | 84.5% |
| Feb-1987 | 69.5% | 54.6% | 84.5% |
| Mar-1987 | 69.7% | 54.9% | 84.7% |
| Apr-1987 | 70.0% | 55.2% | 84.7% |
| May-1987 | 70.3% | 55.6% | 84.9% |
| Jun-1987 | 70.4% | 55.8% | 85.0% |
| Jul-1987 | 70.5% | 55.9% | 85.0% |
| Aug-1987 | 70.7% | 56.1% | 85.2% |
| Sep-1987 | 70.8% | 56.1% | 85.3% |
| Oct-1987 | 71.0% | 56.3% | 85.5% |
| Nov-1987 | 71.1% | 56.4% | 85.5% |
| Dec-1987 | 71.2% | 56.6% | 85.6% |
| Jan-1988 | 71.4% | 56.8% | 85.7% |
| Feb-1988 | 71.6% | 56.9% | 85.9% |
| Mar-1988 | 71.6% | 57.0% | 85.9% |
| Apr-1988 | 71.5% | 56.7% | 85.9% |
| May-1988 | 71.4% | 56.6% | 85.8% |
| Jun-1988 | 71.4% | 56.6% | 85.9% |
| Jul-1988 | 71.5% | 56.6% | 86.1% |
| Aug-1988 | 71.5% | 56.6% | 86.1% |
| Sep-1988 | 71.6% | 56.6% | 86.2% |
| Oct-1988 | 71.6% | 56.5% | 86.3% |
| Nov-1988 | 71.6% | 56.5% | 86.5% |
| Dec-1988 | 71.7% | 56.6% | 86.7% |
| Jan-1989 | 71.8% | 56.7% | 86.8% |
| Feb-1989 | 72.1% | 56.9% | 87.1% |
| Mar-1989 | 72.3% | 57.1% | 87.4% |
| Apr-1989 | 72.4% | 57.4% | 87.3% |
| May-1989 | 72.6% | 57.7% | 87.4% |
| Jun-1989 | 72.6% | 57.6% | 87.5% |
| Jul-1989 | 72.6% | 57.7% | 87.5% |
| Aug-1989 | 72.6% | 57.7% | 87.4% |
| Sep-1989 | 72.6% | 57.8% | 87.3% |
| Oct-1989 | 72.5% | 57.8% | 87.3% |
| Nov-1989 | 72.6% | 57.9% | 87.3% |
| Dec-1989 | 72.6% | 58.1% | 87.2% |
| Jan-1990 | 72.7% | 58.0% | 87.2% |
| Feb-1990 | 72.5% | 57.8% | 86.9% |
| Mar-1990 | 72.4% | 57.8% | 86.8% |
| Apr-1990 | 72.4% | 57.9% | 86.8% |
| May-1990 | 72.5% | 58.0% | 86.7% |
| Jun-1990 | 72.6% | 58.4% | 86.7% |
| Jul-1990 | 72.7% | 58.5% | 86.7% |
| Aug-1990 | 72.8% | 58.5% | 86.7% |
| Sep-1990 | 72.6% | 58.4% | 86.6% |
| Oct-1990 | 72.6% | 58.3% | 86.5% |
| Nov-1990 | 72.3% | 58.0% | 86.3% |
| Dec-1990 | 72.1% | 57.8% | 86.0% |
| Jan-1991 | 71.9% | 57.7% | 85.6% |
| Feb-1991 | 71.7% | 57.7% | 85.3% |
| Mar-1991 | 71.4% | 57.5% | 85.0% |
| Apr-1991 | 71.2% | 57.2% | 84.9% |
| May-1991 | 71.0% | 57.0% | 84.6% |
| Jun-1991 | 70.7% | 56.6% | 84.3% |
| Jul-1991 | 70.6% | 56.6% | 84.2% |
| Aug-1991 | 70.4% | 56.5% | 83.9% |
| Sep-1991 | 70.3% | 56.5% | 83.7% |
| Oct-1991 | 70.2% | 56.6% | 83.4% |
| Nov-1991 | 70.1% | 56.6% | 83.2% |
| Dec-1991 | 70.1% | 56.7% | 83.1% |
| Jan-1992 | 70.0% | 56.7% | 82.9% |
| Feb-1992 | 69.9% | 56.6% | 82.7% |
| Mar-1992 | 69.9% | 56.6% | 82.7% |
| Apr-1992 | 69.8% | 56.5% | 82.7% |
| May-1992 | 69.8% | 56.5% | 82.6% |
| Jun-1992 | 69.7% | 56.6% | 82.5% |
| Jul-1992 | 69.6% | 56.5% | 82.2% |
| Aug-1992 | 69.6% | 56.5% | 82.2% |
| Sep-1992 | 69.6% | 56.5% | 82.3% |
| Oct-1992 | 69.7% | 56.3% | 82.5% |
| Nov-1992 | 69.7% | 56.2% | 82.5% |
| Dec-1992 | 69.7% | 56.2% | 82.5% |
| Jan-1993 | 69.6% | 56.0% | 82.5% |
| Feb-1993 | 69.7% | 56.0% | 82.6% |
| Mar-1993 | 69.8% | 56.2% | 82.6% |
| Apr-1993 | 69.8% | 56.3% | 82.6% |
| May-1993 | 69.9% | 56.3% | 82.7% |
| Jun-1993 | 69.9% | 56.2% | 82.9% |
| Jul-1993 | 69.9% | 56.1% | 83.0% |
| Aug-1993 | 70.0% | 56.1% | 83.1% |
| Sep-1993 | 70.1% | 56.1% | 83.3% |
| Oct-1993 | 70.1% | 56.2% | 83.3% |
| Nov-1993 | 70.2% | 56.2% | 83.4% |
| Dec-1993 | 70.3% | 56.3% | 83.5% |
| Jan-1994 | 70.3% | 56.2% | 83.6% |
| Feb-1994 | 70.3% | 56.3% | 83.7% |
| Mar-1994 | 70.3% | 56.2% | 83.8% |
| Apr-1994 | 70.3% | 56.1% | 83.8% |
| May-1994 | 70.4% | 56.2% | 83.9% |
| Jun-1994 | 70.3% | 56.1% | 83.8% |
| Jul-1994 | 70.3% | 56.2% | 83.9% |
| Aug-1994 | 70.3% | 56.2% | 83.8% |
| Sep-1994 | 70.3% | 56.4% | 83.7% |
| Oct-1994 | 70.4% | 56.6% | 83.7% |
| Nov-1994 | 70.6% | 56.9% | 83.9% |
| Dec-1994 | 70.6% | 56.9% | 84.0% |
| Jan-1995 | 70.7% | 57.0% | 84.0% |
| Feb-1995 | 70.7% | 57.0% | 84.1% |
| Mar-1995 | 70.8% | 57.0% | 84.2% |
| Apr-1995 | 70.8% | 57.0% | 84.3% |
| May-1995 | 70.8% | 56.9% | 84.4% |
| Jun-1995 | 71.0% | 57.0% | 84.7% |
| Jul-1995 | 71.1% | 57.0% | 84.8% |
| Aug-1995 | 71.2% | 57.2% | 84.7% |
| Sep-1995 | 71.2% | 57.3% | 84.7% |
| Oct-1995 | 71.2% | 57.4% | 84.7% |
| Nov-1995 | 71.2% | 57.5% | 84.5% |
| Dec-1995 | 71.3% | 57.6% | 84.6% |
| Jan-1996 | 71.6% | 57.9% | 84.8% |
| Feb-1996 | 71.6% | 58.0% | 84.8% |
| Mar-1996 | 71.7% | 58.1% | 84.8% |
| Apr-1996 | 71.7% | 58.2% | 84.7% |
| May-1996 | 71.7% | 58.3% | 84.6% |
| Jun-1996 | 71.7% | 58.3% | 84.7% |
| Jul-1996 | 71.8% | 58.3% | 84.8% |
| Aug-1996 | 72.0% | 58.4% | 85.1% |
| Sep-1996 | 72.1% | 58.4% | 85.2% |
| Oct-1996 | 72.2% | 58.5% | 85.4% |
| Nov-1996 | 72.3% | 58.6% | 85.6% |
| Dec-1996 | 72.5% | 58.7% | 85.8% |
| Jan-1997 | 72.7% | 58.8% | 86.0% |
| Feb-1997 | 72.9% | 59.0% | 86.2% |
| Mar-1997 | 73.1% | 59.2% | 86.4% |
| Apr-1997 | 73.2% | 59.3% | 86.5% |
| May-1997 | 73.4% | 59.6% | 86.6% |
| Jun-1997 | 73.6% | 59.9% | 86.6% |
| Jul-1997 | 73.8% | 60.3% | 86.7% |
| Aug-1997 | 74.0% | 60.6% | 86.8% |
| Sep-1997 | 74.2% | 60.8% | 86.9% |
| Oct-1997 | 74.2% | 60.8% | 86.9% |
| Nov-1997 | 74.3% | 60.8% | 87.1% |
| Dec-1997 | 74.4% | 60.9% | 87.0% |
| Jan-1998 | 74.4% | 60.9% | 87.1% |
| Feb-1998 | 74.5% | 61.0% | 87.2% |
| Mar-1998 | 74.6% | 61.1% | 87.2% |
| Apr-1998 | 74.8% | 61.3% | 87.4% |
| May-1998 | 74.9% | 61.4% | 87.6% |
| Jun-1998 | 74.9% | 61.4% | 87.6% |
| Jul-1998 | 74.9% | 61.4% | 87.5% |
| Aug-1998 | 74.8% | 61.3% | 87.4% |
| Sep-1998 | 74.8% | 61.3% | 87.4% |
| Oct-1998 | 74.8% | 61.4% | 87.4% |
| Nov-1998 | 74.8% | 61.4% | 87.3% |
| Dec-1998 | 74.7% | 61.4% | 87.3% |
| Jan-1999 | 74.8% | 61.6% | 87.3% |
| Feb-1999 | 74.8% | 61.6% | 87.4% |
| Mar-1999 | 74.8% | 61.6% | 87.5% |
| Apr-1999 | 74.7% | 61.5% | 87.4% |
| May-1999 | 74.6% | 61.5% | 87.3% |
| Jun-1999 | 74.7% | 61.5% | 87.4% |
| Jul-1999 | 74.7% | 61.5% | 87.5% |
| Aug-1999 | 74.7% | 61.5% | 87.6% |
| Sep-1999 | 74.7% | 61.6% | 87.7% |
| Oct-1999 | 74.8% | 61.7% | 87.7% |
| Nov-1999 | 74.9% | 61.9% | 87.7% |
| Dec-1999 | 75.0% | 62.1% | 87.9% |
| Jan-2000 | 75.2% | 62.3% | 88.1% |
| Feb-2000 | 75.3% | 62.4% | 88.2% |
| Mar-2000 | 75.4% | 62.5% | 88.2% |
| Apr-2000 | 75.7% | 62.8% | 88.4% |
| May-2000 | 75.9% | 63.0% | 88.6% |
| Jun-2000 | 76.0% | 63.0% | 88.8% |
| Jul-2000 | 76.2% | 63.1% | 89.0% |
| Aug-2000 | 76.3% | 63.2% | 89.1% |
| Sep-2000 | 76.5% | 63.4% | 89.1% |
| Oct-2000 | 76.6% | 63.6% | 89.2% |
| Nov-2000 | 76.7% | 63.8% | 89.1% |
| Dec-2000 | 76.9% | 64.0% | 89.1% |
| Jan-2001 | 76.8% | 64.0% | 89.0% |
| Feb-2001 | 76.8% | 64.1% | 88.9% |
| Mar-2001 | 76.8% | 64.2% | 88.8% |
| Apr-2001 | 76.8% | 64.3% | 88.7% |
| May-2001 | 76.8% | 64.3% | 88.7% |
| Jun-2001 | 76.6% | 64.2% | 88.4% |
| Jul-2001 | 76.6% | 64.2% | 88.3% |
| Aug-2001 | 76.5% | 64.2% | 88.2% |
| Sep-2001 | 76.4% | 64.0% | 88.1% |
| Oct-2001 | 76.2% | 63.8% | 88.0% |
| Nov-2001 | 76.0% | 63.5% | 87.8% |
| Dec-2001 | 75.8% | 63.3% | 87.7% |
| Jan-2002 | 75.7% | 63.1% | 87.5% |
| Feb-2002 | 75.7% | 63.1% | 87.5% |
| Mar-2002 | 75.5% | 62.9% | 87.3% |
| Apr-2002 | 75.4% | 62.9% | 87.1% |
| May-2002 | 75.3% | 62.9% | 87.0% |
| Jun-2002 | 75.3% | 62.8% | 86.9% |
| Jul-2002 | 75.2% | 62.9% | 86.7% |
| Aug-2002 | 75.1% | 62.9% | 86.6% |
| Sep-2002 | 75.1% | 62.9% | 86.5% |
| Oct-2002 | 75.0% | 62.8% | 86.3% |
| Nov-2002 | 74.9% | 62.8% | 86.3% |
| Dec-2002 | 74.8% | 62.7% | 86.2% |
| Jan-2003 | 74.8% | 62.6% | 86.1% |
| Feb-2003 | 74.6% | 62.5% | 86.0% |
| Mar-2003 | 74.5% | 62.3% | 86.0% |
| Apr-2003 | 74.5% | 62.2% | 86.0% |
| May-2003 | 74.4% | 62.0% | 85.9% |
| Jun-2003 | 74.3% | 61.9% | 86.0% |
| Jul-2003 | 74.2% | 61.6% | 85.9% |
| Aug-2003 | 74.1% | 61.3% | 86.0% |
| Sep-2003 | 74.0% | 61.0% | 86.1% |
| Oct-2003 | 73.9% | 60.8% | 86.0% |
| Nov-2003 | 73.9% | 60.7% | 86.1% |
| Dec-2003 | 73.9% | 60.5% | 86.2% |
| Jan-2004 | 73.9% | 60.4% | 86.3% |
| Feb-2004 | 73.9% | 60.3% | 86.3% |
| Mar-2004 | 73.9% | 60.3% | 86.4% |
| Apr-2004 | 73.9% | 60.3% | 86.4% |
| May-2004 | 74.1% | 60.5% | 86.5% |
| Jun-2004 | 74.2% | 60.7% | 86.7% |
| Jul-2004 | 74.4% | 60.9% | 86.9% |
| Aug-2004 | 74.6% | 61.1% | 87.0% |
| Sep-2004 | 74.7% | 61.3% | 87.0% |
| Oct-2004 | 74.9% | 61.4% | 87.2% |
| Nov-2004 | 75.1% | 61.5% | 87.4% |
| Dec-2004 | 75.2% | 61.7% | 87.4% |
| Jan-2005 | 75.2% | 61.7% | 87.5% |
| Feb-2005 | 75.3% | 61.7% | 87.7% |
| Mar-2005 | 75.4% | 61.7% | 87.8% |
| Apr-2005 | 75.4% | 61.7% | 87.8% |
| May-2005 | 75.4% | 61.6% | 87.9% |
| Jun-2005 | 75.4% | 61.6% | 87.9% |
| Jul-2005 | 75.4% | 61.6% | 87.9% |
| Aug-2005 | 75.4% | 61.6% | 88.0% |
| Sep-2005 | 75.4% | 61.5% | 88.0% |
| Oct-2005 | 75.5% | 61.5% | 88.1% |
| Nov-2005 | 75.5% | 61.5% | 88.2% |
| Dec-2005 | 75.6% | 61.5% | 88.2% |
| Jan-2006 | 75.6% | 61.6% | 88.3% |
| Feb-2006 | 75.7% | 61.8% | 88.3% |
| Mar-2006 | 75.8% | 61.8% | 88.4% |
| Apr-2006 | 75.9% | 61.9% | 88.5% |
| May-2006 | 76.0% | 62.0% | 88.6% |
| Jun-2006 | 76.1% | 62.2% | 88.7% |
| Jul-2006 | 76.2% | 62.3% | 88.7% |
| Aug-2006 | 76.2% | 62.4% | 88.7% |
| Sep-2006 | 76.3% | 62.5% | 88.7% |
| Oct-2006 | 76.4% | 62.6% | 88.7% |
| Nov-2006 | 76.5% | 62.7% | 88.8% |
| Dec-2006 | 76.6% | 62.9% | 88.9% |
| Jan-2007 | 76.7% | 63.0% | 89.0% |
| Feb-2007 | 76.7% | 63.1% | 89.0% |
| Mar-2007 | 76.8% | 63.2% | 89.0% |
| Apr-2007 | 76.9% | 63.3% | 89.0% |
| May-2007 | 76.9% | 63.4% | 89.0% |
| Jun-2007 | 76.9% | 63.3% | 89.0% |
| Jul-2007 | 76.9% | 63.3% | 89.0% |
| Aug-2007 | 77.0% | 63.4% | 89.1% |
| Sep-2007 | 77.0% | 63.6% | 89.0% |
| Oct-2007 | 77.0% | 63.6% | 89.0% |
| Nov-2007 | 77.0% | 63.6% | 88.9% |
| Dec-2007 | 76.9% | 63.6% | 88.8% |
| Jan-2008 | 76.8% | 63.5% | 88.7% |
| Feb-2008 | 76.8% | 63.4% | 88.6% |
| Mar-2008 | 76.6% | 63.4% | 88.5% |
| Apr-2008 | 76.5% | 63.3% | 88.3% |
| May-2008 | 76.5% | 63.4% | 88.2% |
| Jun-2008 | 76.4% | 63.4% | 88.0% |
| Jul-2008 | 76.3% | 63.3% | 87.9% |
| Aug-2008 | 76.2% | 63.1% | 87.8% |
| Sep-2008 | 76.0% | 63.0% | 87.7% |
| Oct-2008 | 75.9% | 62.8% | 87.5% |
| Nov-2008 | 75.7% | 62.6% | 87.2% |
| Dec-2008 | 75.4% | 62.5% | 86.9% |
| Jan-2009 | 75.2% | 62.5% | 86.5% |
| Feb-2009 | 74.8% | 62.3% | 86.0% |
| Mar-2009 | 74.5% | 62.2% | 85.5% |
| Apr-2009 | 74.2% | 62.0% | 85.1% |
| May-2009 | 73.8% | 61.7% | 84.6% |
| Jun-2009 | 73.4% | 61.4% | 84.1% |
| Jul-2009 | 73.1% | 61.3% | 83.6% |
| Aug-2009 | 72.7% | 61.0% | 83.1% |
| Sep-2009 | 72.3% | 60.7% | 82.7% |
| Oct-2009 | 72.0% | 60.6% | 82.3% |
| Nov-2009 | 71.8% | 60.5% | 81.9% |
| Dec-2009 | 71.5% | 60.4% | 81.5% |
| Jan-2010 | 71.4% | 60.4% | 81.3% |
| Feb-2010 | 71.4% | 60.4% | 81.2% |
| Mar-2010 | 71.4% | 60.3% | 81.1% |
| Apr-2010 | 71.3% | 60.2% | 81.1% |
| May-2010 | 71.3% | 60.3% | 81.1% |
| Jun-2010 | 71.4% | 60.4% | 81.1% |
| Jul-2010 | 71.4% | 60.3% | 81.2% |
| Aug-2010 | 71.5% | 60.4% | 81.3% |
| Sep-2010 | 71.6% | 60.5% | 81.4% |
| Oct-2010 | 71.7% | 60.6% | 81.5% |
| Nov-2010 | 71.7% | 60.6% | 81.5% |
| Dec-2010 | 71.7% | 60.6% | 81.6% |
| Jan-2011 | 71.6% | 60.5% | 81.6% |
| Feb-2011 | 71.6% | 60.3% | 81.7% |
| Mar-2011 | 71.6% | 60.2% | 81.8% |
| Apr-2011 | 71.6% | 60.1% | 81.8% |
| May-2011 | 71.5% | 60.0% | 81.8% |
| Jun-2011 | 71.5% | 60.0% | 81.8% |
| Jul-2011 | 71.5% | 60.0% | 81.8% |
| Aug-2011 | 71.5% | 60.0% | 81.9% |
| Sep-2011 | 71.5% | 59.9% | 82.0% |
| Oct-2011 | 71.5% | 60.0% | 82.0% |
| Nov-2011 | 71.6% | 60.0% | 82.1% |
| Dec-2011 | 71.6% | 60.0% | 82.2% |
| Jan-2012 | 71.7% | 60.0% | 82.4% |
| Feb-2012 | 71.8% | 60.2% | 82.5% |
| Mar-2012 | 71.9% | 60.4% | 82.5% |
| Apr-2012 | 72.0% | 60.5% | 82.7% |
| May-2012 | 72.1% | 60.7% | 82.7% |
| Jun-2012 | 72.2% | 60.8% | 82.8% |
| Jul-2012 | 72.2% | 60.9% | 82.8% |
| Aug-2012 | 72.2% | 61.0% | 82.8% |
| Sep-2012 | 72.2% | 61.1% | 82.8% |
| Oct-2012 | 72.3% | 61.1% | 83.0% |
| Nov-2012 | 72.4% | 61.2% | 83.1% |
| Dec-2012 | 72.4% | 61.3% | 83.1% |
| Jan-2013 | 72.5% | 61.3% | 83.2% |
| Feb-2013 | 72.5% | 61.3% | 83.2% |
| Mar-2013 | 72.5% | 61.2% | 83.4% |
| Apr-2013 | 72.5% | 61.2% | 83.4% |
| May-2013 | 72.6% | 61.2% | 83.6% |
| Jun-2013 | 72.7% | 61.1% | 83.8% |
| Jul-2013 | 72.7% | 61.1% | 83.9% |
| Aug-2013 | 72.8% | 61.1% | 83.9% |
| Sep-2013 | 72.8% | 61.0% | 84.0% |
| Oct-2013 | 72.7% | 60.9% | 83.9% |
| Nov-2013 | 72.7% | 60.9% | 84.0% |
| Dec-2013 | 72.8% | 60.9% | 84.2% |
| Jan-2014 | 72.9% | 61.0% | 84.3% |
| Feb-2014 | 73.0% | 61.1% | 84.4% |
| Mar-2014 | 73.1% | 61.2% | 84.5% |
| Apr-2014 | 73.3% | 61.4% | 84.7% |
| May-2014 | 73.3% | 61.4% | 84.7% |
| Jun-2014 | 73.4% | 61.6% | 84.8% |
| Jul-2014 | 73.5% | 61.6% | 84.9% |
| Aug-2014 | 73.6% | 61.8% | 85.0% |
| Sep-2014 | 73.8% | 61.9% | 85.2% |
| Oct-2014 | 74.0% | 62.0% | 85.5% |
| Nov-2014 | 74.2% | 62.1% | 85.7% |
| Dec-2014 | 74.3% | 62.2% | 85.8% |
| Jan-2015 | 74.4% | 62.3% | 86.0% |
| Feb-2015 | 74.5% | 62.3% | 86.2% |
| Mar-2015 | 74.5% | 62.3% | 86.3% |
| Apr-2015 | 74.5% | 62.2% | 86.3% |
| May-2015 | 74.6% | 62.3% | 86.5% |
| Jun-2015 | 74.6% | 62.3% | 86.4% |
| Jul-2015 | 74.6% | 62.3% | 86.5% |
| Aug-2015 | 74.6% | 62.3% | 86.5% |
| Sep-2015 | 74.6% | 62.2% | 86.5% |
| Oct-2015 | 74.5% | 62.2% | 86.4% |
| Nov-2015 | 74.5% | 62.2% | 86.4% |
| Dec-2015 | 74.5% | 62.2% | 86.4% |
| Jan-2016 | 74.5% | 62.2% | 86.4% |
| Feb-2016 | 74.6% | 62.2% | 86.5% |
| Mar-2016 | 74.7% | 62.3% | 86.6% |
| Apr-2016 | 74.6% | 62.3% | 86.6% |
| May-2016 | 74.6% | 62.3% | 86.6% |
| Jun-2016 | 74.6% | 62.1% | 86.7% |
| Jul-2016 | 74.7% | 62.2% | 86.9% |
| Aug-2016 | 74.9% | 62.4% | 87.0% |
| Sep-2016 | 75.0% | 62.6% | 87.0% |
| Oct-2016 | 75.1% | 62.7% | 87.0% |
| Nov-2016 | 75.1% | 62.9% | 87.0% |
| Dec-2016 | 75.2% | 63.0% | 87.0% |
| Jan-2017 | 75.3% | 63.1% | 87.0% |
| Feb-2017 | 75.3% | 63.3% | 87.0% |
| Mar-2017 | 75.4% | 63.4% | 87.0% |
| Apr-2017 | 75.5% | 63.7% | 87.0% |
| May-2017 | 75.6% | 63.8% | 87.1% |
| Jun-2017 | 75.8% | 64.0% | 87.1% |
| Jul-2017 | 75.8% | 64.2% | 87.1% |
| Aug-2017 | 75.7% | 64.2% | 87.0% |
| Sep-2017 | 75.8% | 64.2% | 87.0% |
| Oct-2017 | 75.8% | 64.2% | 87.0% |
| Nov-2017 | 75.8% | 64.3% | 87.1% |
| Dec-2017 | 75.9% | 64.3% | 87.2% |
| Jan-2018 | 75.9% | 64.4% | 87.2% |
| Feb-2018 | 76.0% | 64.5% | 87.2% |
| Mar-2018 | 76.0% | 64.5% | 87.2% |
| Apr-2018 | 76.1% | 64.6% | 87.3% |
| May-2018 | 76.2% | 64.7% | 87.4% |
| Jun-2018 | 76.3% | 64.8% | 87.4% |
| Jul-2018 | 76.4% | 64.9% | 87.5% |
| Aug-2018 | 76.4% | 65.0% | 87.5% |
| Sep-2018 | 76.5% | 65.0% | 87.5% |
| Oct-2018 | 76.6% | 65.3% | 87.5% |
| Nov-2018 | 76.7% | 65.4% | 87.5% |
| Dec-2018 | 76.8% | 65.7% | 87.5% |
| Jan-2019 | 76.9% | 65.9% | 87.5% |
| Feb-2019 | 76.9% | 65.9% | 87.6% |
| Mar-2019 | 77.0% | 66.0% | 87.6% |
| Apr-2019 | 77.0% | 66.0% | 87.5% |
| May-2019 | 77.0% | 66.1% | 87.5% |
| Jun-2019 | 76.9% | 66.1% | 87.4% |
| Jul-2019 | 76.9% | 66.1% | 87.3% |
| Aug-2019 | 77.0% | 66.3% | 87.3% |
| Sep-2019 | 77.1% | 66.4% | 87.5% |
| Oct-2019 | 77.3% | 66.6% | 87.6% |
| Nov-2019 | 77.4% | 66.7% | 87.6% |
| Dec-2019 | 77.4% | 66.8% | 87.7% |
| Jan-2020 | 77.5% | 66.8% | 87.8% |
| Feb-2020 | 77.5% | 67.0% | 87.8% |
| Mar-2020 | 77.4% | 66.9% | 87.6% |
| Apr-2020 | 76.3% | 65.9% | 86.4% |
| May-2020 | 75.4% | 64.9% | 85.5% |
| Jun-2020 | 74.7% | 64.3% | 84.7% |
| Jul-2020 | 74.1% | 63.8% | 84.0% |
| Aug-2020 | 73.6% | 63.3% | 83.5% |
| Sep-2020 | 73.0% | 62.6% | 83.0% |
| Oct-2020 | 72.5% | 62.0% | 82.7% |
| Nov-2020 | 72.0% | 61.5% | 82.2% |
| Dec-2020 | 71.5% | 61.0% | 81.8% |
| Jan-2021 | 71.0% | 60.4% | 81.2% |
| Feb-2021 | 70.5% | 59.8% | 80.8% |
| Mar-2021 | 70.2% | 59.6% | 80.6% |
| Apr-2021 | 71.0% | 60.3% | 81.4% |
| May-2021 | 71.7% | 61.0% | 82.2% |
| Jun-2021 | 72.1% | 61.3% | 82.6% |
| Jul-2021 | 72.6% | 61.6% | 83.2% |
| Aug-2021 | 72.9% | 61.8% | 83.6% |
| Sep-2021 | 73.2% | 62.1% | 83.8% |
| Oct-2021 | 73.4% | 62.3% | 84.0% |
| Nov-2021 | 73.7% | 62.6% | 84.4% |
| Dec-2021 | 74.1% | 63.0% | 84.8% |
| Jan-2022 | 74.4% | 63.4% | 85.1% |
| Feb-2022 | 74.9% | 63.8% | 85.6% |
| Mar-2022 | 75.2% | 64.1% | 85.9% |
| Apr-2022 | 75.6% | 64.5% | 86.2% |
| May-2022 | 75.9% | 64.8% | 86.5% |
| Jun-2022 | 76.3% | 65.2% | 86.9% |
| Jul-2022 | 76.5% | 65.6% | 87.0% |
| Aug-2022 | 76.8% | 66.0% | 87.1% |
| Sep-2022 | 77.1% | 66.5% | 87.2% |
| Oct-2022 | 77.3% | 66.8% | 87.3% |
| Nov-2022 | 77.3% | 67.0% | 87.3% |
| Dec-2022 | 77.4% | 67.2% | 87.3% |
| Jan-2023 | 77.5% | 67.4% | 87.3% |
| Feb-2023 | 77.5% | 67.6% | 87.0% |
| Mar-2023 | 77.5% | 67.7% | 86.9% |
| Apr-2023 | 77.6% | 67.9% | 86.9% |
| May-2023 | 77.7% | 68.1% | 86.8% |
| Jun-2023 | 77.7% | 68.3% | 86.8% |
| Jul-2023 | 77.9% | 68.4% | 86.9% |
| Aug-2023 | 77.9% | 68.5% | 86.9% |
| Sep-2023 | 77.9% | 68.5% | 86.8% |
| Oct-2023 | 77.9% | 68.6% | 86.8% |
| Nov-2023 | 77.9% | 68.7% | 86.8% |
| Dec-2023 | 77.9% | 68.7% | 86.7% |
| Jan-2024 | 77.9% | 68.6% | 86.7% |
| Feb-2024 | 78.0% | 68.6% | 86.8% |
| Mar-2024 | 78.0% | 68.6% | 87.0% |
| Apr-2024 | 78.1% | 68.7% | 87.0% |
| May-2024 | 78.1% | 68.8% | 87.0% |
| Jun-2024 | 78.1% | 68.8% | 87.0% |
| Jul-2024 | 78.0% | 68.7% | 87.0% |
| Aug-2024 | 78.0% | 68.7% | 87.1% |
| Sep-2024 | 78.1% | 68.6% | 87.1% |
| Oct-2024 | 78.1% | 68.6% | 87.2% |
| Nov-2024 | 78.1% | 68.6% | 87.3% |
| Dec-2024 | 78.2% | 68.6% | 87.4% |
| Jan-2025 | 78.3% | 68.7% | 87.5% |
| Feb-2025 | 78.3% | 68.8% | 87.4% |
| Mar-2025 | 78.3% | 68.9% | 87.3% |
| Apr-2025 | 78.3% | 69.0% | 87.3% |
| May-2025 | 78.3% | 68.9% | 87.3% |
| Jun-2025 | 78.3% | 69.0% | 87.3% |
| Jul-2025 | 78.4% | 69.2% | 87.2% |
| Aug-2025 | 78.4% | 69.2% | 87.2% |
| Sep-2025 | 78.4% | 69.2% | 87.3% |
| Oct-2025 | |||
| Nov-2025 | 78.6% | 69.6% | 87.2% |
| Dec-2025 | 78.6% | 69.7% | 87.2% |
| Jan-2026 | 78.7% | 69.9% | 87.2% |
| Feb-2026 | 78.8% | 70.0% | 87.4% |
| Mar-2026 | 78.9% | 70.2% | 87.4% |
| Apr-2026 | 79.0% | 70.4% | 87.4% |
| May-2026 | 79.0% | 70.5% | 87.4% |
| Jun-2026 | 78.9% | 70.5% | 87.2% |
| Jul-2026 | 78.9% | 70.6% | 87.1% |
| Aug-2026 | 78.9% | 70.7% | 87.1% |
Note: Prime-age refers to workers between the ages of 25 and 54. Each month represents a 12-month moving average leading up to that month; for instance, August 2026 represents the average value from September 2025 to August 2026. Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: Economic Policy Institute, State of Working America Data Library, "Employment by demographics - Employment-to-population ratio," 2026.
Prime-age Latinas are even outpacing their peers, who have historically enjoyed higher employment rates but have been more adversely impacted by the weaker labor market. Figure B shows that the average employment rate of prime-age Latinas continued to rise through August 2026, while that of their Black and white peers declined or flattened. This is because Latinas are more heavily concentrated in some of the economic sectors leading the charts in job growth, such as leisure and hospitality. Despite these gains, Latinas continue to be disproportionately affected by the gender pay gap due to the compounding effects of discrimination and occupational segregation.
Figure B
The employment rate of prime-age Latina workers reached new heights in the last year: Prime-age women's employment-to-population ratio by race and ethnicity, 2019–2026
| Date | White | Black | Hispanic | AAPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-2019 | 75.5% | 74.1% | 65.9% | 69.8% |
| Feb-2019 | 75.6% | 74.1% | 65.9% | 70.0% |
| Mar-2019 | 75.7% | 74.1% | 66.0% | 70.1% |
| Apr-2019 | 75.8% | 74.1% | 66.0% | 70.2% |
| May-2019 | 75.8% | 74.2% | 66.1% | 70.3% |
| Jun-2019 | 75.9% | 74.2% | 66.1% | 70.4% |
| Jul-2019 | 76.0% | 74.1% | 66.1% | 70.4% |
| Aug-2019 | 76.0% | 74.2% | 66.3% | 70.4% |
| Sep-2019 | 76.1% | 74.3% | 66.4% | 70.4% |
| Oct-2019 | 76.2% | 74.4% | 66.6% | 70.5% |
| Nov-2019 | 76.3% | 74.5% | 66.7% | 70.5% |
| Dec-2019 | 76.4% | 74.7% | 66.8% | 70.4% |
| Jan-2020 | 76.6% | 74.8% | 66.8% | 70.4% |
| Feb-2020 | 76.7% | 75.0% | 67.0% | 70.3% |
| Mar-2020 | 76.8% | 75.0% | 66.9% | 70.2% |
| Apr-2020 | 76.0% | 74.1% | 65.9% | 69.5% |
| May-2020 | 75.5% | 73.2% | 64.9% | 68.6% |
| Jun-2020 | 75.1% | 72.5% | 64.3% | 67.9% |
| Jul-2020 | 74.8% | 71.8% | 63.8% | 67.4% |
| Aug-2020 | 74.5% | 71.2% | 63.3% | 66.9% |
| Sep-2020 | 74.2% | 70.6% | 62.6% | 66.3% |
| Oct-2020 | 74.0% | 70.1% | 62.0% | 65.7% |
| Nov-2020 | 73.7% | 69.8% | 61.5% | 65.4% |
| Dec-2020 | 73.5% | 69.3% | 61.0% | 65.2% |
| Jan-2021 | 73.2% | 68.8% | 60.4% | 65.1% |
| Feb-2021 | 73.0% | 68.3% | 59.8% | 65.0% |
| Mar-2021 | 72.8% | 68.0% | 59.6% | 65.0% |
| Apr-2021 | 73.4% | 68.8% | 60.3% | 65.5% |
| May-2021 | 73.8% | 69.5% | 61.0% | 66.3% |
| Jun-2021 | 74.1% | 69.9% | 61.3% | 66.8% |
| Jul-2021 | 74.3% | 70.4% | 61.6% | 67.4% |
| Aug-2021 | 74.5% | 70.8% | 61.8% | 67.8% |
| Sep-2021 | 74.7% | 71.2% | 62.1% | 68.3% |
| Oct-2021 | 74.8% | 71.4% | 62.3% | 68.7% |
| Nov-2021 | 75.0% | 71.6% | 62.6% | 69.2% |
| Dec-2021 | 75.1% | 71.8% | 63.0% | 69.6% |
| Jan-2022 | 75.3% | 72.2% | 63.4% | 70.0% |
| Feb-2022 | 75.4% | 72.5% | 63.8% | 70.2% |
| Mar-2022 | 75.5% | 72.9% | 64.1% | 70.6% |
| Apr-2022 | 75.7% | 73.1% | 64.5% | 71.0% |
| May-2022 | 75.9% | 73.4% | 64.8% | 71.5% |
| Jun-2022 | 76.0% | 73.6% | 65.2% | 71.7% |
| Jul-2022 | 76.1% | 73.9% | 65.6% | 71.8% |
| Aug-2022 | 76.3% | 74.1% | 66.0% | 72.1% |
| Sep-2022 | 76.4% | 74.3% | 66.5% | 72.4% |
| Oct-2022 | 76.5% | 74.6% | 66.8% | 72.6% |
| Nov-2022 | 76.5% | 74.7% | 67.0% | 72.7% |
| Dec-2022 | 76.6% | 74.7% | 67.2% | 72.7% |
| Jan-2023 | 76.7% | 74.7% | 67.4% | 72.8% |
| Feb-2023 | 76.8% | 74.9% | 67.6% | 73.1% |
| Mar-2023 | 76.8% | 74.9% | 67.7% | 73.3% |
| Apr-2023 | 76.9% | 75.0% | 67.9% | 73.5% |
| May-2023 | 77.0% | 75.1% | 68.1% | 73.5% |
| Jun-2023 | 77.1% | 75.2% | 68.3% | 73.5% |
| Jul-2023 | 77.2% | 75.2% | 68.4% | 73.7% |
| Aug-2023 | 77.2% | 75.4% | 68.5% | 73.6% |
| Sep-2023 | 77.4% | 75.3% | 68.5% | 73.5% |
| Oct-2023 | 77.5% | 75.4% | 68.6% | 73.7% |
| Nov-2023 | 77.6% | 75.6% | 68.7% | 73.6% |
| Dec-2023 | 77.6% | 75.8% | 68.7% | 73.6% |
| Jan-2024 | 77.7% | 76.0% | 68.6% | 73.7% |
| Feb-2024 | 77.7% | 76.2% | 68.6% | 73.8% |
| Mar-2024 | 77.7% | 76.2% | 68.6% | 73.5% |
| Apr-2024 | 77.7% | 76.2% | 68.7% | 73.5% |
| May-2024 | 77.8% | 76.2% | 68.8% | 73.6% |
| Jun-2024 | 77.8% | 76.0% | 68.8% | 73.7% |
| Jul-2024 | 77.8% | 76.1% | 68.7% | 73.8% |
| Aug-2024 | 77.9% | 76.1% | 68.7% | 74.0% |
| Sep-2024 | 77.9% | 76.2% | 68.6% | 74.1% |
| Oct-2024 | 77.8% | 76.2% | 68.6% | 74.0% |
| Nov-2024 | 77.8% | 76.1% | 68.6% | 74.0% |
| Dec-2024 | 77.8% | 76.1% | 68.6% | 73.9% |
| Jan-2025 | 77.9% | 76.0% | 68.7% | 73.9% |
| Feb-2025 | 77.9% | 76.0% | 68.8% | 73.8% |
| Mar-2025 | 77.9% | 75.8% | 68.9% | 73.8% |
| Apr-2025 | 77.9% | 75.5% | 69.0% | 73.7% |
| May-2025 | 77.8% | 75.3% | 68.9% | 73.6% |
| Jun-2025 | 77.9% | 75.3% | 69.0% | 73.6% |
| Jul-2025 | 77.9% | 75.0% | 69.2% | 73.5% |
| Aug-2025 | 77.9% | 74.9% | 69.2% | 73.2% |
| Sep-2025 | 77.9% | 74.6% | 69.2% | 73.3% |
| Oct-2025 | ||||
| Nov-2025 | 77.8% | 74.3% | 69.6% | 73.5% |
| Dec-2025 | 77.8% | 74.1% | 69.7% | 73.6% |
| Jan-2026 | 77.8% | 74.0% | 69.9% | 73.7% |
| Feb-2026 | 77.8% | 73.8% | 70.0% | 73.6% |
| Mar-2026 | 77.8% | 73.9% | 70.2% | 73.6% |
| Apr-2026 | 77.8% | 73.9% | 70.4% | 73.6% |
| May-2026 | 77.7% | 74.0% | 70.5% | 73.7% |
| Jun-2026 | 77.7% | 73.9% | 70.5% | 73.7% |
| Jul-2026 | 77.7% | 74.1% | 70.6% | 73.6% |
| Aug-2026 | 77.6% | 74.2% | 70.7% | 73.7% |
Note: Prime-age refers to workers between the ages of 25 and 54. Each month represents a 12-month moving average leading up to that month; for instance, August 2026 represents the average value from September 2025 to August 2026. Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: Economic Policy Institute, State of Working America Data Library, "Employment by demographics - Employment-to-population ratio," 2026.
Young Hispanic workers have not seen their employment situation improve over the last year
Not all Hispanic workers have avoided a worsening employment situation in the last year. For example, the employment rates of young Hispanic workers between the ages of 16 and 24 have struggled to maintain consistent gains in the last year. While the average employment rate for young Latinos is now improving after a sharp drop last year, employment among young Latinas is falling along with that of other young workers and recent graduates.
More broadly, this uneven progress may help us understand why more than half of Hispanic adults expressed concerns about finding or keeping a job last year. These growing employment fears remind us how difficult it is to achieve broad-based employment gains in a labor market struggling to regain its footing amid a mass deportation policy that will cost millions of jobs and an uncertain macroeconomic environment that continues to reproduce inequality.
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