What the labor force participation rate measures
The percentage of the civilian population aged 16 and over that is in the labor force – either employed or unemployed and actively looking for work. Students, retirees, people caring for family and others not seeking a job are outside it. The figure comes from the same monthly household survey as the unemployment rate and is published in the jobs report.
How to read this chart
Two long trends dominate the chart. From the 1960s to the late 1990s participation rose as women joined the workforce in large numbers, peaking around 67% in 2000. Since 2008 it has drifted lower mainly because the baby-boom generation is retiring. Recessions cause dips on top of these trends, the deepest in April 2020. A missing point in late 2025 marks a month the survey was not conducted.
The latest reading in context
- At 61.8%, the latest reading is below its 5-year average of 62.3% and below its 10-year average of 62.4%.
- Of all 944 monthly readings since January 1948, 39% were lower than today’s and 60% were higher.
- Direction: up 0.2 points over the past month; down 0.1 points over the past six months; down 0.7 points over the past year.
- The highest value on record is 67.3% (January 2000, 26 years ago); the lowest is 58.1% (December 1954, 72 years ago).
- The full history spans 12 US recessions, shaded grey on the chart.
Why it matters
Participation determines how many workers the economy has. A falling rate can make the unemployment rate look better than the labor market really is, because people who give up looking are no longer counted as unemployed. Over the long run, fewer workers per person means slower economic growth and more pressure on programs such as Social Security.
What moves the labor force participation rate
- Population aging: people over 55 participate much less than younger adults
- Women’s participation, which rose for decades and has since leveled off
- School enrollment among young people
- Job availability, wages and disability, which pull people in or keep them out
Key moments in its history
- 1948–1960sHovered around 58% to 60%, when most women did not work for pay.
- Early 2000Peaked at 67.3%.
- 2008–2015Fell steadily as the Great Recession and boomer retirements reduced the workforce.
- Apr 2020Dropped to about 60%, the lowest since the early 1970s.
- 2023Recovered to about 62.5%, close to the pre-pandemic level after adjusting for aging.
Labor Force Participation Rate data tables
Average by decade
| Decade | Average | High | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s (so far) | 62.2% | 63.3% | 60.1% |
| 2010s | 63.3% | 65.2% | 62.4% |
| 2000s | 66.2% | 67.3% | 64.6% |
| 1990s | 66.7% | 67.2% | 66.0% |
| 1980s | 64.8% | 66.6% | 63.5% |
| 1970s | 61.5% | 63.9% | 59.8% |
| 1960s | 59.2% | 60.4% | 58.4% |
| 1950s | 59.3% | 60.2% | 58.1% |
| 1940s | 58.9% | 59.6% | 58.3% |
Last 12 months
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 61.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Aug 2026 | 61.6% | +0.2 pts |
| Jul 2026 | 61.4% | −0.1 pts |
| Jun 2026 | 61.5% | −0.3 pts |
| May 2026 | 61.8% | 0.0 pts |
| Apr 2026 | 61.8% | −0.1 pts |
| Mar 2026 | 61.9% | −0.1 pts |
| Feb 2026 | 62.0% | −0.1 pts |
| Jan 2026 | 62.1% | −0.3 pts |
| Dec 2025 | 62.4% | −0.1 pts |
| Nov 2025 | 62.5% | |
| Oct 2025 | n/a | not published |
Monthly values. Decade figures are averages of the monthly values in each decade. The complete history is available as a CSV file.
Use this chart on your website
Set the options, check the preview, then copy the code into any HTML page, blog post or sidebar. There is nothing to install and no account to create; the chart refreshes itself when new data is published.
Preview
Free for personal and commercial sites. The only condition: leave the two credit links in the code visible. Every setting is explained on the Embed page, where you can also pick any of our charts.
Labor Force Participation Rate: questions and answers
Why is the labor force participation rate falling?
Mostly because the population is getting older. Baby boomers began turning 65 in 2011, and retirees are counted as outside the labor force. Participation of people aged 25 to 54 has actually returned to near record highs.
What is the difference between participation and the employment rate?
Participation counts everyone working or looking for work. The employment-population ratio counts only those with jobs, so it falls when unemployment rises even if participation does not.
Why is October 2025 missing?
The household survey was not conducted during the October 2025 federal government shutdown, so no participation rate was published for that month.
Where does the data on this chart come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ChartWidgets downloads the series (CIVPART) from FRED, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis database, and checks for new releases every day. The last update was on November 1, 2026.