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Prime Age Workers Employment Rate Lowest in 23 Years
It's nice when the WaPo writes an independent article.The proportion of Americans in their prime working years who have jobs is smaller than it has been at any time in the 23 years before the recession, according to federal statistics, reflecting the profound and lasting effects that the downturn has had on the nation's economic prospects. By this measure, the jobs situation has improved little in recent years. The percentage of workers between the ages of 25 and 54 who have jobs now stands at 75.7 percent, just a percentage point over what it was at the downturn's worst, according to federal statistics. The percentage of prime-age men who are working is smaller now than it has been in any time before the recession, going all the way back to 1948, according to federal statistics. The proportion of prime-age women is at a low not seen since 1988. Then there's this shocker: The nation's unemployment rate has shown signs of improvement, ticking down from 10 percent to 8.1 percent. But if it tallied people who have given up looking for jobs, it would certainly be higher. Heavens to Betsy! I certainly hope those Tea Partiers can't read! "I'm actually considering a position in retail," said a 53-year-old Northern Virginia woman who had held a senior position in international sales and recently earned a master's degree in management. She has been looking for a job for three years. "I can't tell you how many women I know, one of whom was a bank vice president, who have already taken these kinds of jobs -- they're working at Joann's Fabrics, Sur la Table and Crate & Barrel." Posted by: Bobby 2012-05-30 |
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