Chart: Most young people who are not in the labor force are in school: Share of 16- to 19-year-olds and 16- to 24-year-olds not working, by selected reasons, 2001 and 2021

Figure B

Most young people who are not in the labor force are in school: Share of 16- to 19-year-olds and 16- to 24-year-olds not working, by selected reasons, 2001 and 2021

Year	Not working because going to school	Not working because could not find work	Other reasons	Total

2001	37.1%	0.9%	4.6%	42.6%
2021	58.1%	1.4%	5.4%	65.0%

2001	21.3%	0.9%	6.4%	28.6%
2021	36.1%	1.7%	7.2%	45.1%

ChartData Download data

Note: “Not working for other reasons” include illness, disability, taking care of family member, retired, and other.

Source: IPUMS online data analysis system (SDA) analysis of Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, “Reason not working last year by survey year.”

This chart appears in:

Child labor laws are under attack in states across the country: Amid increasing child labor violations, lawmakers must act to strengthen standards

Previous chart: « Table 1| In the past two years, at least 10 states have introduced or passed laws rolling back child labor protections: State child labor legislation activity, 2021–2023

Next chart: Union membership and share of income going to the top 10 percent, 1917–2015 »