Black and Hispanic employment rates fall the most during a recession: Prime-age employment rate percentage point change from the peak before and low point after a recession, by recession and race
| Recession | Black | Hispanic | White |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1982 | -4.47% | -2.40% | -0.42% |
| 1990–1991 | -2.62% | -2.95% | -1.08% |
| 2001 | -3.87% | -2.95% | -2.31% |
| 2007–2009 | -7.44% | -5.05% | -4.25% |
| 2020 | -6.05% | -5.86% | -3.29% |
Source: Employment-to-population rates by race for ages 25 through 54 are available in the EPI State of Working America Data Library, retrieved May 9, 2025.