Less than half of all Americans were part of the workforce last year, raising concerns about the nation’s long-term ability to support itself.

 

Only 45.4% of the U.S. population had jobs in 2010, marking the lowest rate since 1983. Also, only 66.8% of men were employed. Up until the 1960s, 80% or more of all adult males worked for a living. In 2010 the figures for individual states ranged from 36.7% for Mississippi to 55.8% for North Dakota.

 

Reasons for the declining employment numbers included the bad economy, a graying population and a leveling of growth in women workers.

 

“No matter how wealthy you are, you have a problem if half the population is not working and depending on those who are,” John Goodman, president of the conservative National Center for Policy Analysis, told USA Today.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

More Americans Leaving the Workforce (by Dennis Cauchon, USA Today)