Prime Workforce Stays Strong
May 5, 2025
The labor force participation rate — the percentage of Americans age 16 and older who are working or actively looking for work — peaked in early 2000, when it began to drop due to an aging population and more young people in college. Participation was rising before the pandemic but has only partially recovered, due in large part to accelerated retirement among older workers.
The rate for the prime working ages of 25 to 54 surpassed the pre-pandemic level in 2023 and was still above it as of early 2025. A solid prime workforce, combined with technology and other productivity measures, could help the U.S. economy stay strong with a smaller percentage of the total population in the workforce.
Labor force participation rate
2000
Age 16+: 67.3% in April of 2000
Age 25-54: 84.4% in April of 2000
2015
Age 16+: 62.4% in September of 2015
Age 25-54: 80.6% in September of 2015
2020
Age 16+: 63.3% in February of 2020
Age 25-54: 83.1% in January of 2020
Age 16+: 60.1% in April of 2020
Age 25-54: 79.8% in April of 2020
2025
Age 16+: 62.4% in February of 2025
Age 25-54: 83.5% in February of 2025
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025; U.S. Chamber of Commerce, December 13, 2024
Valuing Your Trust
If you’re not already a valued client of Providence Wealth Advisors, we encourage you to learn more. To schedule a no cost, no obligation conversation, contact us to learn more at your convenience.