Skip Navigation
Link to HHS Website Department of Health & Human Services
 
Link to Administration on Aging HomePage
  Home > Aging Statistics > Profile of Older Americans
Home
About AoA
Press Room
Elders & Families
Emergency Preparedness
Aging Statistics
AoA Programs
Program Results
Grant Opportunities
AoA Funded Resource Centers
              

A Profile of Older Americans: 2005

Employment

In 2004, 5.0 million (14.4 %) Americans age 65 and over were in the labor force (working or actively seeking work), including 2.8 million men (19.0%) and 2.2 million women (11.1%). They constituted 3.4% of the U.S. labor force. About 3.6% were unemployed. Labor force participation of men 65+ decreased steadily from 2 of 3 in 1900 to 15.8% in 1985, and has stayed at 16%-18% since then. The participation rate for women 65+ rose slightly from 1 of 12 in 1900 to 10.8% in 1956, fell to 7.3% in 1985, and has been around 8%-10% since 1988.

(Source: Current Population Survey, labor force statistics. See: Bureau of Labor Statistics web-site: http://www.bls.gov/cps/home.htm)


 

Back to Previous | Main | Next



Last Modified: 7/16/2009 8:31:04 AM