Participation in U.S. Labor Force

U.S. Civilian Labor Force and Participation Rates (Millions / Percentage)*:

1980 - 106.9 / 63.8
1990 - 125.8 / 66.5
2000 - 142.6 / 67.1
2005 - 149.3 / 66.0
2006 - 151.4 / 66.2
2007 - 153.1 / 66.0
2008 - 154.3 / 66.0
2009 - 154.1 / 65.4
2010 - 153.9 / 64.7

* Civilian non-institutional population 16 years old and older. Annual averages of monthly figures.







[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]

'Not in Labor Force' at New All Time High

April 6, 2012

Zero Hedge - March NFP big miss at just 120K. Unemployment rate declines from 8.3% to 8.2%. Futures slide, for at least a few minutes before the NEW QE TM rumor starts spreading. The household survey actually posted a decline in March from 142,065 to 142,034. Considering Birth Death added 90K to the NSA number, the actual number was almost unchanged.

And as always, as we predicted when Goldman hiked its NFP forecast yesterday from 175K to 200K saying “if Goldman’s recent predictive track record is any indication, tomorrow’s NFP will be a disaster”, Goldie once again skewers everyone. Finally, Joe LaVorgna’s +250,000 forecast was just 100% off… as usual.

The unemployment rate drops to 8.2% for one simple reason: the number of people not in the labor force is back to all time highs: 87,897,000.

Birth Death: