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Workers keep leaving the US labor force. Experts can't agree why
Economists cite retirements, caregiving and job mismatches as the labor pool falls, with some experts saying long-term disconnection from work is growing.
- The U.S. labor force is shrinking as participation rates decline, with workers leaving the market entirely due to discouragement or caregiving responsibilities.
- A booming stock market has enabled older Americans to retire early, with Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank, noting that those with savings feel comfortable stepping away.
- Return-to-Office mandates are disproportionately driving women from the workforce, according to Michelle Evermore, senior fellow at the National Employment Law Project, who cited high caregiving costs as a barrier.
- Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao argues some workers leave for the 'wrong reasons,' including persistent discouragement after prolonged unemployment periods, suggesting the market struggles to retain talent.
- A sustained decline in the U.S. labor force could ultimately slow economic growth as companies face worker shortages when available labor fails to meet hiring expectations.
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18 Articles
Helena Independent Record+16 Reposted by 16 other sources
Workers keep leaving the US labor force. Experts can't agree why
Whether it was caregiving responsibilities, feeling discouraged after a long stretch of unemployment or the realization they’re sitting on a pile of money, many Americans have left the workforce.
·Helena, United States
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Employment Data and Decline in Labor Force Shows the US Is in a Stealth Recession
Employment Data and Decline in Labor Force Shows the US Is in a Stealth Recession Clearly, if 720,000 people dropped out of the labor force in just one month, a 0.1% drop in the unemployment rate does not indicate the labor market is improving. The greater and more important number is the 720,000 people who evaporated. David Haggith Sun, 07/12/2026
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution82% Center
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources are Center
82% Center
L 18%
C 82%
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