The labor force participation rate has fallen from over 67 percent in 2000 to almost 63 percent today. Among the reasons are the downward trends in the percentages of women and young people in the labor force.

The unemployment rate has been declining significantly since the Great Recession ended; however, the ranks of those involuntarily working part time have been declining at a slower pace. How does this situation compare with what happened after previous recessions?

Workforce participation has declined among those 16 to 24, but there may be good reasons for this. An analysis by age, gender and education looks at who is in school and who is not.