The labor force participation rate continued to decline long after the unemployment rate began recovering in the aftermath of the Great Recession: Labor force participation and unemployment rates, ages 16 and older, 1989–2019
| Labor Force Participation Rate | Unemployment Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan-1989 | 66.5% | 5.4% |
| Feb-1989 | 66.3% | 5.2% |
| Mar-1989 | 66.3% | 5.0% |
| Apr-1989 | 66.4% | 5.2% |
| May-1989 | 66.3% | 5.2% |
| Jun-1989 | 66.5% | 5.3% |
| Jul-1989 | 66.5% | 5.2% |
| Aug-1989 | 66.5% | 5.2% |
| Sep-1989 | 66.4% | 5.3% |
| Oct-1989 | 66.5% | 5.3% |
| Nov-1989 | 66.6% | 5.4% |
| Dec-1989 | 66.5% | 5.4% |
| Jan-1990 | 66.8% | 5.4% |
| Feb-1990 | 66.7% | 5.3% |
| Mar-1990 | 66.7% | 5.2% |
| Apr-1990 | 66.6% | 5.4% |
| May-1990 | 66.6% | 5.4% |
| Jun-1990 | 66.4% | 5.2% |
| Jul-1990 | 66.5% | 5.5% |
| Aug-1990 | 66.5% | 5.7% |
| Sep-1990 | 66.4% | 5.9% |
| Oct-1990 | 66.4% | 5.9% |
| Nov-1990 | 66.4% | 6.2% |
| Dec-1990 | 66.4% | 6.3% |
| Jan-1991 | 66.2% | 6.4% |
| Feb-1991 | 66.2% | 6.6% |
| Mar-1991 | 66.3% | 6.8% |
| Apr-1991 | 66.4% | 6.7% |
| May-1991 | 66.2% | 6.9% |
| Jun-1991 | 66.2% | 6.9% |
| Jul-1991 | 66.1% | 6.8% |
| Aug-1991 | 66.0% | 6.9% |
| Sep-1991 | 66.2% | 6.9% |
| Oct-1991 | 66.1% | 7.0% |
| Nov-1991 | 66.1% | 7.0% |
| Dec-1991 | 66.0% | 7.3% |
| Jan-1992 | 66.3% | 7.3% |
| Feb-1992 | 66.2% | 7.4% |
| Mar-1992 | 66.4% | 7.4% |
| Apr-1992 | 66.5% | 7.4% |
| May-1992 | 66.6% | 7.6% |
| Jun-1992 | 66.7% | 7.8% |
| Jul-1992 | 66.7% | 7.7% |
| Aug-1992 | 66.6% | 7.6% |
| Sep-1992 | 66.5% | 7.6% |
| Oct-1992 | 66.2% | 7.3% |
| Nov-1992 | 66.3% | 7.4% |
| Dec-1992 | 66.3% | 7.4% |
| Jan-1993 | 66.2% | 7.3% |
| Feb-1993 | 66.2% | 7.1% |
| Mar-1993 | 66.2% | 7.0% |
| Apr-1993 | 66.1% | 7.1% |
| May-1993 | 66.4% | 7.1% |
| Jun-1993 | 66.5% | 7.0% |
| Jul-1993 | 66.4% | 6.9% |
| Aug-1993 | 66.4% | 6.8% |
| Sep-1993 | 66.2% | 6.7% |
| Oct-1993 | 66.3% | 6.8% |
| Nov-1993 | 66.3% | 6.6% |
| Dec-1993 | 66.4% | 6.5% |
| Jan-1994 | 66.6% | 6.6% |
| Feb-1994 | 66.6% | 6.6% |
| Mar-1994 | 66.5% | 6.5% |
| Apr-1994 | 66.5% | 6.4% |
| May-1994 | 66.6% | 6.1% |
| Jun-1994 | 66.4% | 6.1% |
| Jul-1994 | 66.4% | 6.1% |
| Aug-1994 | 66.6% | 6.0% |
| Sep-1994 | 66.6% | 5.9% |
| Oct-1994 | 66.7% | 5.8% |
| Nov-1994 | 66.7% | 5.6% |
| Dec-1994 | 66.7% | 5.5% |
| Jan-1995 | 66.8% | 5.6% |
| Feb-1995 | 66.8% | 5.4% |
| Mar-1995 | 66.7% | 5.4% |
| Apr-1995 | 66.9% | 5.8% |
| May-1995 | 66.5% | 5.6% |
| Jun-1995 | 66.5% | 5.6% |
| Jul-1995 | 66.6% | 5.7% |
| Aug-1995 | 66.6% | 5.7% |
| Sep-1995 | 66.6% | 5.6% |
| Oct-1995 | 66.6% | 5.5% |
| Nov-1995 | 66.5% | 5.6% |
| Dec-1995 | 66.4% | 5.6% |
| Jan-1996 | 66.4% | 5.6% |
| Feb-1996 | 66.6% | 5.5% |
| Mar-1996 | 66.6% | 5.5% |
| Apr-1996 | 66.7% | 5.6% |
| May-1996 | 66.7% | 5.6% |
| Jun-1996 | 66.7% | 5.3% |
| Jul-1996 | 66.9% | 5.5% |
| Aug-1996 | 66.7% | 5.1% |
| Sep-1996 | 66.9% | 5.2% |
| Oct-1996 | 67.0% | 5.2% |
| Nov-1996 | 67.0% | 5.4% |
| Dec-1996 | 67.0% | 5.4% |
| Jan-1997 | 67.0% | 5.3% |
| Feb-1997 | 66.9% | 5.2% |
| Mar-1997 | 67.1% | 5.2% |
| Apr-1997 | 67.1% | 5.1% |
| May-1997 | 67.1% | 4.9% |
| Jun-1997 | 67.1% | 5.0% |
| Jul-1997 | 67.2% | 4.9% |
| Aug-1997 | 67.2% | 4.8% |
| Sep-1997 | 67.1% | 4.9% |
| Oct-1997 | 67.1% | 4.7% |
| Nov-1997 | 67.2% | 4.6% |
| Dec-1997 | 67.2% | 4.7% |
| Jan-1998 | 67.1% | 4.6% |
| Feb-1998 | 67.1% | 4.6% |
| Mar-1998 | 67.1% | 4.7% |
| Apr-1998 | 67.0% | 4.3% |
| May-1998 | 67.0% | 4.4% |
| Jun-1998 | 67.0% | 4.5% |
| Jul-1998 | 67.0% | 4.5% |
| Aug-1998 | 67.0% | 4.5% |
| Sep-1998 | 67.2% | 4.6% |
| Oct-1998 | 67.2% | 4.5% |
| Nov-1998 | 67.1% | 4.4% |
| Dec-1998 | 67.2% | 4.4% |
| Jan-1999 | 67.2% | 4.3% |
| Feb-1999 | 67.2% | 4.4% |
| Mar-1999 | 67.0% | 4.2% |
| Apr-1999 | 67.1% | 4.3% |
| May-1999 | 67.1% | 4.2% |
| Jun-1999 | 67.1% | 4.3% |
| Jul-1999 | 67.1% | 4.3% |
| Aug-1999 | 67.0% | 4.2% |
| Sep-1999 | 67.0% | 4.2% |
| Oct-1999 | 67.0% | 4.1% |
| Nov-1999 | 67.1% | 4.1% |
| Dec-1999 | 67.1% | 4.0% |
| Jan-2000 | 67.3% | 4.0% |
| Feb-2000 | 67.3% | 4.1% |
| Mar-2000 | 67.3% | 4.0% |
| Apr-2000 | 67.3% | 3.8% |
| May-2000 | 67.1% | 4.0% |
| Jun-2000 | 67.1% | 4.0% |
| Jul-2000 | 66.9% | 4.0% |
| Aug-2000 | 66.9% | 4.1% |
| Sep-2000 | 66.9% | 3.9% |
| Oct-2000 | 66.8% | 3.9% |
| Nov-2000 | 66.9% | 3.9% |
| Dec-2000 | 67.0% | 3.9% |
| Jan-2001 | 67.2% | 4.2% |
| Feb-2001 | 67.1% | 4.2% |
| Mar-2001 | 67.2% | 4.3% |
| Apr-2001 | 66.9% | 4.4% |
| May-2001 | 66.7% | 4.3% |
| Jun-2001 | 66.7% | 4.5% |
| Jul-2001 | 66.8% | 4.6% |
| Aug-2001 | 66.5% | 4.9% |
| Sep-2001 | 66.8% | 5.0% |
| Oct-2001 | 66.7% | 5.3% |
| Nov-2001 | 66.7% | 5.5% |
| Dec-2001 | 66.7% | 5.7% |
| Jan-2002 | 66.5% | 5.7% |
| Feb-2002 | 66.8% | 5.7% |
| Mar-2002 | 66.6% | 5.7% |
| Apr-2002 | 66.7% | 5.9% |
| May-2002 | 66.7% | 5.8% |
| Jun-2002 | 66.6% | 5.8% |
| Jul-2002 | 66.5% | 5.8% |
| Aug-2002 | 66.6% | 5.7% |
| Sep-2002 | 66.7% | 5.7% |
| Oct-2002 | 66.6% | 5.7% |
| Nov-2002 | 66.4% | 5.9% |
| Dec-2002 | 66.3% | 6.0% |
| Jan-2003 | 66.4% | 5.8% |
| Feb-2003 | 66.4% | 5.9% |
| Mar-2003 | 66.3% | 5.9% |
| Apr-2003 | 66.4% | 6.0% |
| May-2003 | 66.4% | 6.1% |
| Jun-2003 | 66.5% | 6.3% |
| Jul-2003 | 66.2% | 6.2% |
| Aug-2003 | 66.1% | 6.1% |
| Sep-2003 | 66.1% | 6.1% |
| Oct-2003 | 66.1% | 6.0% |
| Nov-2003 | 66.1% | 5.8% |
| Dec-2003 | 65.9% | 5.7% |
| Jan-2004 | 66.1% | 5.7% |
| Feb-2004 | 66.0% | 5.6% |
| Mar-2004 | 66.0% | 5.8% |
| Apr-2004 | 65.9% | 5.6% |
| May-2004 | 66.0% | 5.6% |
| Jun-2004 | 66.1% | 5.6% |
| Jul-2004 | 66.1% | 5.5% |
| Aug-2004 | 66.0% | 5.4% |
| Sep-2004 | 65.8% | 5.4% |
| Oct-2004 | 65.9% | 5.5% |
| Nov-2004 | 66.0% | 5.4% |
| Dec-2004 | 65.9% | 5.4% |
| Jan-2005 | 65.8% | 5.3% |
| Feb-2005 | 65.9% | 5.4% |
| Mar-2005 | 65.9% | 5.2% |
| Apr-2005 | 66.1% | 5.2% |
| May-2005 | 66.1% | 5.1% |
| Jun-2005 | 66.1% | 5.0% |
| Jul-2005 | 66.1% | 5.0% |
| Aug-2005 | 66.2% | 4.9% |
| Sep-2005 | 66.1% | 5.0% |
| Oct-2005 | 66.1% | 5.0% |
| Nov-2005 | 66.0% | 5.0% |
| Dec-2005 | 66.0% | 4.9% |
| Jan-2006 | 66.0% | 4.7% |
| Feb-2006 | 66.1% | 4.8% |
| Mar-2006 | 66.2% | 4.7% |
| Apr-2006 | 66.1% | 4.7% |
| May-2006 | 66.1% | 4.6% |
| Jun-2006 | 66.2% | 4.6% |
| Jul-2006 | 66.1% | 4.7% |
| Aug-2006 | 66.2% | 4.7% |
| Sep-2006 | 66.1% | 4.5% |
| Oct-2006 | 66.2% | 4.4% |
| Nov-2006 | 66.3% | 4.5% |
| Dec-2006 | 66.4% | 4.4% |
| Jan-2007 | 66.4% | 4.6% |
| Feb-2007 | 66.3% | 4.5% |
| Mar-2007 | 66.2% | 4.4% |
| Apr-2007 | 65.9% | 4.5% |
| May-2007 | 66.0% | 4.4% |
| Jun-2007 | 66.0% | 4.6% |
| Jul-2007 | 66.0% | 4.7% |
| Aug-2007 | 65.8% | 4.6% |
| Sep-2007 | 66.0% | 4.7% |
| Oct-2007 | 65.8% | 4.7% |
| Nov-2007 | 66.0% | 4.7% |
| Dec-2007 | 66.0% | 5.0% |
| Jan-2008 | 66.2% | 5.0% |
| Feb-2008 | 66.0% | 4.9% |
| Mar-2008 | 66.1% | 5.1% |
| Apr-2008 | 65.9% | 5.0% |
| May-2008 | 66.1% | 5.4% |
| Jun-2008 | 66.1% | 5.6% |
| Jul-2008 | 66.1% | 5.8% |
| Aug-2008 | 66.1% | 6.1% |
| Sep-2008 | 66.0% | 6.1% |
| Oct-2008 | 66.0% | 6.5% |
| Nov-2008 | 65.9% | 6.8% |
| Dec-2008 | 65.8% | 7.3% |
| Jan-2009 | 65.7% | 7.8% |
| Feb-2009 | 65.8% | 8.3% |
| Mar-2009 | 65.6% | 8.7% |
| Apr-2009 | 65.7% | 9.0% |
| May-2009 | 65.7% | 9.4% |
| Jun-2009 | 65.7% | 9.5% |
| Jul-2009 | 65.5% | 9.5% |
| Aug-2009 | 65.4% | 9.6% |
| Sep-2009 | 65.1% | 9.8% |
| Oct-2009 | 65.0% | 10.0% |
| Nov-2009 | 65.0% | 9.9% |
| Dec-2009 | 64.6% | 9.9% |
| Jan-2010 | 64.8% | 9.8% |
| Feb-2010 | 64.9% | 9.8% |
| Mar-2010 | 64.9% | 9.9% |
| Apr-2010 | 65.2% | 9.9% |
| May-2010 | 64.9% | 9.6% |
| Jun-2010 | 64.6% | 9.4% |
| Jul-2010 | 64.6% | 9.4% |
| Aug-2010 | 64.7% | 9.5% |
| Sep-2010 | 64.6% | 9.5% |
| Oct-2010 | 64.4% | 9.4% |
| Nov-2010 | 64.6% | 9.8% |
| Dec-2010 | 64.3% | 9.3% |
| Jan-2011 | 64.2% | 9.1% |
| Feb-2011 | 64.1% | 9.0% |
| Mar-2011 | 64.2% | 9.0% |
| Apr-2011 | 64.2% | 9.1% |
| May-2011 | 64.1% | 9.0% |
| Jun-2011 | 64.0% | 9.1% |
| Jul-2011 | 64.0% | 9.0% |
| Aug-2011 | 64.1% | 9.0% |
| Sep-2011 | 64.2% | 9.0% |
| Oct-2011 | 64.1% | 8.8% |
| Nov-2011 | 64.1% | 8.6% |
| Dec-2011 | 64.0% | 8.5% |
| Jan-2012 | 63.7% | 8.3% |
| Feb-2012 | 63.8% | 8.3% |
| Mar-2012 | 63.8% | 8.2% |
| Apr-2012 | 63.7% | 8.2% |
| May-2012 | 63.7% | 8.2% |
| Jun-2012 | 63.8% | 8.2% |
| Jul-2012 | 63.7% | 8.2% |
| Aug-2012 | 63.5% | 8.1% |
| Sep-2012 | 63.6% | 7.8% |
| Oct-2012 | 63.8% | 7.8% |
| Nov-2012 | 63.6% | 7.7% |
| Dec-2012 | 63.7% | 7.9% |
| Jan-2013 | 63.7% | 8.0% |
| Feb-2013 | 63.4% | 7.7% |
| Mar-2013 | 63.3% | 7.5% |
| Apr-2013 | 63.4% | 7.6% |
| May-2013 | 63.4% | 7.5% |
| Jun-2013 | 63.4% | 7.5% |
| Jul-2013 | 63.3% | 7.3% |
| Aug-2013 | 63.3% | 7.2% |
| Sep-2013 | 63.2% | 7.2% |
| Oct-2013 | 62.8% | 7.2% |
| Nov-2013 | 63.0% | 6.9% |
| Dec-2013 | 62.9% | 6.7% |
| Jan-2014 | 62.9% | 6.6% |
| Feb-2014 | 62.9% | 6.7% |
| Mar-2014 | 63.1% | 6.7% |
| Apr-2014 | 62.8% | 6.2% |
| May-2014 | 62.9% | 6.3% |
| Jun-2014 | 62.8% | 6.1% |
| Jul-2014 | 62.9% | 6.2% |
| Aug-2014 | 62.9% | 6.1% |
| Sep-2014 | 62.8% | 5.9% |
| Oct-2014 | 62.9% | 5.7% |
| Nov-2014 | 62.9% | 5.8% |
| Dec-2014 | 62.8% | 5.6% |
| Jan-2015 | 62.9% | 5.7% |
| Feb-2015 | 62.7% | 5.5% |
| Mar-2015 | 62.6% | 5.4% |
| Apr-2015 | 62.7% | 5.4% |
| May-2015 | 62.9% | 5.6% |
| Jun-2015 | 62.6% | 5.3% |
| Jul-2015 | 62.6% | 5.2% |
| Aug-2015 | 62.6% | 5.1% |
| Sep-2015 | 62.4% | 5.0% |
| Oct-2015 | 62.5% | 5.0% |
| Nov-2015 | 62.6% | 5.1% |
| Dec-2015 | 62.7% | 5.0% |
| Jan-2016 | 62.7% | 4.9% |
| Feb-2016 | 62.8% | 4.9% |
| Mar-2016 | 62.9% | 5.0% |
| Apr-2016 | 62.8% | 5.0% |
| May-2016 | 62.7% | 4.8% |
| Jun-2016 | 62.7% | 4.9% |
| Jul-2016 | 62.8% | 4.8% |
| Aug-2016 | 62.9% | 4.9% |
| Sep-2016 | 62.9% | 5.0% |
| Oct-2016 | 62.8% | 4.9% |
| Nov-2016 | 62.7% | 4.7% |
| Dec-2016 | 62.7% | 4.7% |
| Jan-2017 | 62.9% | 4.7% |
| Feb-2017 | 62.9% | 4.7% |
| Mar-2017 | 62.9% | 4.4% |
| Apr-2017 | 62.9% | 4.4% |
| May-2017 | 62.8% | 4.4% |
| Jun-2017 | 62.8% | 4.3% |
| Jul-2017 | 62.9% | 4.3% |
| Aug-2017 | 62.9% | 4.4% |
| Sep-2017 | 63.1% | 4.2% |
| Oct-2017 | 62.7% | 4.1% |
| Nov-2017 | 62.8% | 4.2% |
| Dec-2017 | 62.7% | 4.1% |
| Jan-2018 | 62.7% | 4.1% |
| Feb-2018 | 63.0% | 4.1% |
| Mar-2018 | 62.9% | 4.0% |
| Apr-2018 | 62.8% | 3.9% |
| May-2018 | 62.8% | 3.8% |
| Jun-2018 | 62.9% | 4.0% |
| Jul-2018 | 62.9% | 3.9% |
| Aug-2018 | 62.7% | 3.8% |
| Sep-2018 | 62.7% | 3.7% |
| Oct-2018 | 62.9% | 3.8% |
| Nov-2018 | 62.9% | 3.7% |
| Dec-2018 | 63.1% | 3.9% |
| Jan-2019 | 63.2% | 4.0% |
| Feb-2019 | 63.2% | 3.8% |
| Mar-2019 | 63.0% | 3.8% |
Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey public data series