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A Profile of Older Americans: 2006

Employment


In 2005, 5.3 million (15.1 %) Americans age 65 and over were in the labor force (working or actively seeking work), including 3.0 million men (19.8%) and 2.3 million women (11.5%). They constituted 3.5% of the U.S. labor force. About 3.5% were unemployed. Labor force participation of men 65+ decreased steadily from 2 of 3 in 1900 to 15.8% in 1985, and has stayed at 16%-18% since then. The participation rate for women 65+ rose slightly from 1 of 12 in 1900 to 10.8% in 1956, fell to 7.3% in 1985, and has been around 8%-10% since 1988.

(Source: Current Population Survey, labor force statistics. See: Bureau of Labor Statistics web-site: http://www.bls.gov/cps/home.htm)

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AoA - Statistics - A Profile of Older Americans 2006 - Education



Last Modified: 7/16/2009 8:31:05 AM