Figure A
People of color make up a growing share of the working-age population: Share of working population by race and ethnicity, 1989–2025
| Year | White non-Hispanic | Black | Hispanic | AAPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 76.9% | 11.6% | 8.1% | 2.6% |
| 1990 | 75.2% | 11.8% | 9.3% | 3.0% |
| 1991 | 74.8% | 11.8% | 9.5% | 3.2% |
| 1992 | 74.4% | 11.9% | 9.7% | 3.2% |
| 1993 | 74.2% | 12.0% | 9.9% | 3.2% |
| 1994 | 74.2% | 12.1% | 10.1% | 2.8% |
| 1995 | 74.2% | 12.2% | 10.3% | 2.5% |
| 1996 | 72.9% | 12.1% | 10.5% | 3.8% |
| 1997 | 72.3% | 12.2% | 11.0% | 3.8% |
| 1998 | 71.9% | 12.2% | 11.2% | 3.9% |
| 1999 | 71.5% | 12.2% | 11.4% | 4.1% |
| 2000 | 70.1% | 12.0% | 12.4% | 4.6% |
| 2001 | 69.7% | 11.9% | 12.8% | 4.7% |
| 2002 | 69.3% | 11.9% | 13.1% | 4.7% |
| 2003 | 68.3% | 12.1% | 13.7% | 4.8% |
| 2004 | 68.0% | 12.1% | 13.8% | 4.9% |
| 2005 | 67.5% | 12.2% | 14.1% | 5.0% |
| 2006 | 67.1% | 12.3% | 14.4% | 5.1% |
| 2007 | 66.4% | 12.3% | 14.8% | 5.3% |
| 2008 | 66.1% | 12.4% | 15.0% | 5.2% |
| 2009 | 65.8% | 12.6% | 15.2% | 5.3% |
| 2010 | 65.4% | 12.6% | 15.5% | 5.4% |
| 2011 | 64.9% | 12.7% | 15.8% | 5.4% |
| 2012 | 63.2% | 12.8% | 16.7% | 6.0% |
| 2013 | 62.6% | 12.9% | 16.9% | 6.3% |
| 2014 | 62.1% | 13.0% | 17.2% | 6.4% |
| 2015 | 61.4% | 13.2% | 17.6% | 6.6% |
| 2016 | 60.8% | 13.2% | 17.9% | 6.9% |
| 2017 | 60.4% | 13.3% | 18.1% | 6.9% |
| 2018 | 59.6% | 13.4% | 18.6% | 7.2% |
| 2019 | 59.1% | 13.4% | 18.9% | 7.3% |
| 2020 | 58.7% | 13.5% | 19.1% | 7.4% |
| 2021 | 58.4% | 13.6% | 19.4% | 7.4% |
| 2022 | 58.0% | 13.5% | 19.7% | 7.5% |
| 2023 | 57.1% | 13.7% | 20.1% | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 56.5% | 13.8% | 20.6% | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 55.4% | 13.8% | 21.3% | 8.4% |
Notes: Working age refers to ages 16–64. Race and ethnicity are mutually exclusive (i.e. white non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic any race, and AAPI non-Hispanic)
Source: Economic Policy Institute, State of Working America Data Library, "Working age population - Share of working age population," 2026.
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