NLS Original Cohorts:
Older and Young Men
Older men
Interviews began in 1966 for the NLS older men, a group of 5,020 men ages 45-59. Older men were well into their careers, and were
on the threshold of decisions about the timing and extent of their labor force withdrawal. Data collection
focused on topics such as work and nonwork experiences, retirement planning, health conditions,
insurance coverage, and the ways in which respondents spent their leisure time. The survey also
tracked labor market decisions such as middle-age job changes, retirement expectations and
experiences, and reentry to the labor market after initial retirement. Interviews with this cohort ceased in 1981.
In 1990, information was collected from respondents and widows or other next-of-kin deceased sample members. Also includes
cause of death information collected from state vital records departments in 1990.
Young men
Interviews also began in 1966 for 5,225 young men, ages 14 to 24. The surveys of the young men
traced in detail their educational experiences including a separate survey of respondents' high
schools, training investments, and career choices, as well as marital and fertility histories.
Their work history is also followed, allowing for research on areas such as returns to schooling,
effects of teenage unemployment, the transition from school to work, job search, racial wage
differentials, and earnings mobility and inequality. Interviews with this cohort ceased in 1981.
Old and Young Men Cohort Data
Old and Young Men Confidential Data
- Information about the Original Cohorts Geocode data
Please note there is a different process for obtaining confidential data about the original cohorts
than the standard Geocode application used for the NLSY79, NLSY79 Young Adult, and NLSY97 cohorts.
Documentation
- Handbook Chapter on the Old and Young Men (PDF, 335K, 19 pages)
- Table 6.4 from the Handbook; Selected variables by survey round Older Men (PDF, 5 pages)
- Table 6.5 from the Handbook; Selected variables by survey round Young Men (PDF, 4 pages)
- Older Men Errata
- Young Men Errata
Order Data |
Original Cohorts |
NLSY79 |
NLSY79 Children |
NLSY97 |
NLS Data Files | NLS Documentation |
Bibliography |
Research Papers |
NLS Newsletter
Last Modified Date: January 10, 2006
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