Figure A
Labor force participation among prime-age adults is higher today than five decades ago: Prime-age labor force participation rate, 1976–2024
| Year | Prime age labor force participation rate |
|---|---|
| 1976 | 74.8% |
| 1977 | 75.8% |
| 1978 | 76.9% |
| 1979 | 77.9% |
| 1980 | 78.7% |
| 1981 | 79.4% |
| 1982 | 79.9% |
| 1983 | 80.2% |
| 1984 | 80.8% |
| 1985 | 81.5% |
| 1986 | 82.0% |
| 1987 | 82.5% |
| 1988 | 82.9% |
| 1989 | 83.5% |
| 1990 | 83.5% |
| 1991 | 83.4% |
| 1992 | 83.6% |
| 1993 | 83.4% |
| 1994 | 83.4% |
| 1995 | 83.5% |
| 1996 | 83.8% |
| 1997 | 84.2% |
| 1998 | 84.1% |
| 1999 | 84.1% |
| 2000 | 84.0% |
| 2001 | 83.7% |
| 2002 | 83.3% |
| 2003 | 83.0% |
| 2004 | 82.8% |
| 2005 | 82.8% |
| 2006 | 82.9% |
| 2007 | 83.0% |
| 2008 | 83.1% |
| 2009 | 82.6% |
| 2010 | 82.2% |
| 2011 | 81.6% |
| 2012 | 81.4% |
| 2013 | 81.0% |
| 2014 | 80.9% |
| 2015 | 80.8% |
| 2016 | 81.3% |
| 2017 | 81.7% |
| 2018 | 82.1% |
| 2019 | 82.5% |
| 2020 | 81.4% |
| 2021 | 81.6% |
| 2022 | 82.4% |
| 2023 | 83.3% |
| 2024 | 83.6% |
Notes: Data include the civilian noninstitutional population. “Prime age” refers to ages 25 to 54.
Source: EPI analysis of the Current Population Survey (CPS) basic monthly microdata, EPI Current Population Survey Extracts, Version 2025.6.11, https://microdata.epi.org.
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