August 22, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Youth employment, unemployment both rise in summer

The number of employed youth 16 to 24 years old increased by about 2.4 million from April to July 2001. This year's seasonal expansion in youth employment was slightly larger than last year's growth of 2.2 million.

[Chart data—TXT]

The number of unemployed youth, which also normally grows at this time of year, rose by 473,000 between April and July, about the same as the increase in the prior 2 years.

Thus, the youth labor force rose by about 2.9 million from April to July, to reach a total of 24.8 million. The youth labor force—16- to 24-year olds either employed or actively looking for work (unemployed)—grows sharply between April and July each year as large numbers of high school and college students take or seek summer employment. In addition, many recent graduates begin or look for year-round jobs.

The data in this report are from the Current Population Survey. Because this analysis focuses on the changes in youth employment and unemployment that occur every spring and summer, the data used are not seasonally adjusted. See news release USDL 01-275, Employment and Unemployment Among Youth—Summer 2001, for more information.