An analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that roughly one in three American men of working age were neither working nor looking for work.
The trend, which predates the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised questions about long-term workforce dynamics as the U.S. faces an aging population and shifting economic demands.
Labor force participation measures the share of the civilian noninstitutional population either employed or actively seeking work. Those not in the labor force include individuals who have stopped looking for work, often citing disability, family responsibilities, education, or other reasons.
Working-Age Definition and Historical Comparison
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics typically defines the working-age population as age 16 and older for broad labor force statistics, with prime working ages often cited as 25 to 54.
The 1-in-3 figure cited in recent reporting refers to men aged 16 and older, or to broader working-age cohorts, who are not in the labor force.
Male labor force participation has declined over decades. Demographer Nicholas Eberstadt noted in his book “Men Without Work” that the share of men 20 and older without jobs rose significantly from the mid-1960s to 2015, the Milken Institute Review noted.
For prime-age men (25-54), rates have remained below historical peaks even during economic expansions. Overall U.S. labor force participation was 61.8% in April 2026.
Trends Among Younger Adults and NEET Rates
Younger cohorts show related patterns, as confirmed by the National Center for Education Statistics. The share of 18- to 24-year-olds neither enrolled in school nor working (often called “disconnected” or NEET—Not in Education, Employment, or Training) was around 13% in recent years, down from 17% in 2012 but up from the immediate pre-pandemic lows in some measures.
Broader estimates for ages 18-24 place the share of disconnected youth at around 16% in certain analyses, per Investopedia.
Living Arrangements, Marriage, and Family Formation
More young adults are living with their parents. In 2025, 58% of adults ages 18-24 lived in their parental home, according to Census Bureau data, while 21.7% of those ages 25-29 did so. For ages 18-34 overall, roughly one-third resided with parents in recent years, near pandemic highs.
Marriage rates have also fallen. Fewer than half (47%) of U.S. households were married-couple households in 2025, down from 66% 50 years earlier. The median age at first marriage reached 30.8 for men and 28.4 for women, as noted in a previous article by The Dallas Express.
The share of adults who are married has declined, with many delaying or foregoing marriage and childbearing due to economic pressures, according to Barna.
Possible Contributing Factors
Analysts point to multiple factors. Eberstadt and others highlight expanded social safety net programs, including disability benefits, as enabling some non-disabled men to subsist without working. Of note, married men and immigrants tend to have higher labor force participation rates, meaning they are more likely to be either working or actively seeking work, per WSJ.
Other cited elements include shifts in industry demand, with job growth concentrated in sectors like healthcare that employ fewer men, as well as education costs, housing affordability, and mental health challenges among youth.
Labor economists note barriers such as transportation, criminal records, and skill mismatches that some disconnected young adults face, according to the Social Science Research Council.
Possible Approaches Discussed
For years, policymakers and researchers have proposed measures including skills training, adjustments to benefit programs to encourage work, and efforts to align education with labor market needs. Some analyses emphasize expanding opportunities in growing sectors and addressing disincentives in welfare systems.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirm these trends.
Trends vary by education, geography, and demographics, with higher disconnection rates in some rural areas and among those with lower educational attainment.
