The "Not in the Labor Force" Phenomenon

 

 

The amount of people "not in the labor force" exceeds the increase of population.
For instance, the total population (over 16 years of age) increased in 2011 by 1,788,000 and 
the amount of people not in the labor force increased by 2,060,000.
This extraordinary situation has only occurred in the past three years (i.e., under Obama's 
administration).  In all the U.S. history this has not happened before.

 

The "Not in the Labor Force" Phenomenon
  (in thousands)
Year Total Growth of % Growth of Ratio
Population Total Not In of Pop 
Population Labor & Not in
Growth Force Labor Force
1977 159,033 2883 1.85% 34 84.8
1978 161,910 2877 1.81% -366 -7.9
1979 164,863 2953 1.82% 241 12.3
1980 167,745 2882 1.75% 906 3.2
1981 170,130 2385 1.42% 654 3.6
1982 172,271 2141 1.26% 607 3.5
1983 174,215 1944 1.13% 598 3.3
1984 176,383 2168 1.24% 174 12.5
1985 178,206 1823 1.03% -95 -19.2
1986 180,587 2381 1.34% 8 297.6
1987 182,753 2166 1.20% 136 15.9
1988 184,613 1860 1.02% 56 33.2
1989 186,393 1780 0.96% -421 -4.2
1990 189,164 2771 1.49% 801 3.5
1991 190,925 1761 0.93% 1254 1.4
1992 192,805 1880 0.98% 122 15.4
1993 194,838 2033 1.05% 938 2.2
1994 196,814 1976 1.01% 120 16.5
1995 198,584 1770 0.90% 522 3.4
1996 200,591 2007 1.01% 367 5.5
1997 203,133 2542 1.27% 190 13.4
1998 205,220 2087 1.03% 710 2.9
1999 207,753 2533 1.23% 838 3.0
2000 212,577 4824 2.32% 1609 3.0
2001 215,092 2515 1.18% 1365 1.8
2002 217,570 2478 1.15% 1348 1.8
2003 221,168 3598 1.65% 1951 1.8
2004 223,357 2189 0.99% 1298 1.7
2005 226,082 2725 1.22% 806 3.4
2006 228,815 2733 1.21% 625 4.4
2007 231,867 3052 1.33% 1356 2.3
2008 233,788 1921 0.83% 758 2.5
2009 235,801 2013 0.86% 2158 0.9
2010 237,830 2029 0.86% 2282 0.9
2011 239,618 1788 0.75% 2060 0.9