The labor force participation rate in the US fell to 61.9% in March 2026, the lowest since 2021. Labor Force Participation Rate in the United States averaged 62.83 percent from 1948 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 67.30 percent in January of 2000 and a record low of 58.10 percent in December of 1954. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Labor Force Participation Rate in the United States decreased to 61.90 percent in March from 62 percent in February of 2026.

Labor Force Participation Rate in the United States decreased to 61.90 percent in March from 62 percent in February of 2026. Labor Force Participation Rate in the United States is expected to be 62.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Labor Force Participation Rate is projected to trend around 62.80 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-06 01:30 PM
Participation Rate
Feb 62% 62.1% 62.5%
2026-04-03 12:30 PM
Participation Rate
Mar 61.9% 62% 62.3%
2026-05-08 12:30 PM
Participation Rate
Apr 61.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings MoM 0.20 0.40 percent Mar 2026
Average Hourly Earnings YoY 3.50 3.80 percent Mar 2026
Average Weekly Hours 34.20 34.30 Hours Mar 2026
Employment Rate 59.20 59.30 percent Mar 2026
Government Payrolls -8.00 -4.00 Thousand Mar 2026
JOLTs Job Openings 6882.00 7240.00 Thousand Feb 2026
Participation Rate 61.90 62.00 percent Mar 2026
Manufacturing Payrolls 15.00 -6.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Non Farm Payrolls 178.00 -133.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Nonfarm Payrolls Private 186.00 -129.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.30 4.40 percent Mar 2026


United States Labor Force Participation Rate
The civilian labor force participation rate is the number of employed and unemployed but looking for a job as a percentage of the population aged 16 years and over.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
61.90 62.00 67.30 58.10 1948 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA