Discussion
Potential Workers on the Sidelines: Labor Force Participation Continues to Slide
andrewclunn: Question, are these stats based on the most recent census data for population and then reported employment numbers? If so changes in population (considerable deportations for example) might effect an assumed denominator that no longer holds. That said if the labor numbers rely on above board work, then perhaps that would not impact the numerator as much either. The methodology is important here.
toomuchtodo: Submitter here, I posted because I think there is a confluence of interesting macroeconomic factors at work here. Certainly, immigration policy is factoring into this, as the restaurant industry is highly dependent on such labor. At the same time, we're still seeing 55+ leave the labor force rapidly (~4M Boomers continue to retire per year, ~330k/month), leaving only younger prime working age cohort, which continues to shrink. At the same time, we're seeing youth unemployment around 6%, including those with a bachelor's degree or higher.As the piece mentions, young men are "staying on the sidelines" versus engage in low wage, low status restaurant work (in this context).https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/young-men-strugglin...> Young men are struggling in a slowing job market, even if they have college degrees: Men ages 23 to 30 are discovering that a bachelor's degree doesn't offer the same protection from unemployment that it used to.
alistairSH: leaving only younger prime working age cohort, which continues to shrinkI don't think that's literally true? There are more Millennials (~22% of US population) now than Boomers (~20%) or Gen X (~19%). Same for Gen Z (~21%).Or do you mean that for whatever reason, Millenials aren't participating in the work force?
toomuchtodo: https://www.hiringlab.org/2026/04/07/why-labor-force-partici...https://www.aei.org/domestic-policy/our-labor-force-demograp...https://lightcast.io/resources/blog/the-rising-storm-one-yea...https://www.datocms-assets.com/62658/1761154208-the_rising_s...
FrustratedMonky: Flagged? Really?In a post about labor shortages in Restaurants? We can't mention immigration?Who do you think worked in the kitchen?
hackable_sand: Whatever is going on in your life, I hope it gets better
jerlam: Millenials (and some Gen X) have the highest participation rate since 2001:> By contrast, participation among “prime-age” workers (25–54) has held relatively steady, averaging 83.6% since January 2024 and registering 83.8% in March 2026. It hit 84.0% in January, the highest since March 2001, with the current rate just shy of that recent peak.
esbranson: > In November 2023, the labor force participation rate reached 62.8%In November 2023, the prime age (25-54 years old) labor force participation rate was 83.4%.[1]> At the same time, the labor force participation rate edged down from 62.0% in February to 61.9% in March, the lowest level since November 2021.The prime age LFPR was 83.9% and 83.8% in February and March 2026, and 82% in November 2021.[1]The prime age labor participation rate is just about the highest it's ever been in recorded history. The gender gap is also the lowest it's ever been.[2][1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS11300060[2] https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/spotlighting...
FrustratedMonky: Is it? or were a few people, lets say, put across the border.
justonceokay: Wouldn’t that tighten up the labor force, if true? Less pidgeons for the same number of boxes
Izikiel43: Here it would depend on how much those boxes are paying.
