Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Economic News Release
PRINT:Print
NLS NLS Program Links

Labor Market Experience, Education, Partner Status, and Health for those Born 1980-1984 News Release

For release 10:00 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, May 5, 2020		     USDL-20-0813

Technical information:	nls_info@bls.gov  *  www.bls.gov/nls 
Media contact:		(202) 691-5902  *  PressOffice@bls.gov


	 LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY, EDUCATION, AND PARTNER STATUS AMONG
          AMERICANS AT AGE 33: RESULTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY


Americans born in the early 1980s held an average of 8.2 jobs from age 18
through age 32, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These
young adults held more jobs at younger ages: they held an average of 4.5
jobs from ages 18 to 22 compared with 2.3 jobs from ages 28 to 32. While
aged 18 to 32, women with more education held more jobs than women with
less education. Regardless of education, men held a similar number of jobs.

These findings are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, a
nationally representative survey of about 9,000 men and women who were born
during the years 1980 to 1984. These respondents were ages 12 to 17 when
first interviewed in 1997 and ages 32 to 38 when interviewed for the 18th
time in 2017-18. The survey provides information on work and non-work
experiences, training, schooling, income, assets, and other characteristics.
The information provided by respondents is representative of all men and 
women born in the early 1980s and living in the United States when the
survey began in 1997.//NLSYTH QCT Resilio Test 10/05/2023//

This release focuses on the educational attainment, employment experiences,
and partner status of these individuals from their 18th birthday until
they turned 33. Highlights from the longitudinal survey among this group
include:

   --At their 25th birthday, 29 percent of women had received a bachelor's
     degree and higher, compared with 22 percent of men. By their 33rd
     birthday, 37 percent of women held a bachelor's degree and higher,
     compared with 30 percent of men. Seventy-five percent of women had
     at least attended some college by age 33 compared with 66 percent
     of men. (See table 1.)

   --Individuals held an average of 8.2 jobs from ages 18 through 32,
     with over half of these jobs being held between the ages of 18 and
     22. (See table 2.)

   --Among individuals who started jobs while ages 18 to 24, the average
     individual had 57 percent of their jobs end in less than a year,
     compared with an average of 37 percent among those who started jobs
     while ages 25 to 32. In this older age range, job duration is
     significantly longer for those with more education. Among individuals
     with less than a high school education who started jobs while ages
     25 to 32, the average individual had 53 percent of their jobs end 
     in less than a year, compared with 29 percent among those with a
     bachelor's degree and higher. (See table 3.)

   --Women with less than a high school diploma were employed an average
     of 39 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 32, while men with less than
     a high school diploma were employed 64 percent of weeks. Among 
     individuals with a bachelor's degree and higher, both women and men
     were employed an average of 81 percent of weeks. (See table 4.)

   --Individuals were employed for an average of 75 percent of weeks
     from ages 18 to 32. This varied across age brackets: from ages 
     18 to 22 individuals were employed 68 percent of weeks, from ages
     23 to 27 and from ages 28 to 32 individuals were employed 78 percent
     of weeks. (See table 5.)

   --At the time of their 33rd birthday, 50 percent of individuals were
     married, 17 percent were cohabiting, and 33 percent were single.
     The percent of individuals who were married varied by education;
     those with higher levels of education were more likely to be married
     and less likely to be cohabiting than those with lower levels of
     education. (See table 6.)

   --Men who were single at age 33 were employed 71 percent of the
     weeks from ages 18 to 32, compared with 84 percent for those who
     were married and 77 percent for those who were cohabiting. The 
     percentage of weeks employed varied less by partner status for
     women; women who were single at age 33 were employed 69 percent
     of the weeks from ages 18 to 32, compared with 73 percent for
     those who were married and 71 percent for those who were cohabiting.
     (See table 7.)

Educational Attainment at Age 33

At 33 years of age, 33 percent of individuals had received a bachelor's
degree and higher while 37 percent had attended some college or received
an associate degree. Twenty-three percent had a high school diploma or
General Education Development (GED) credential and no further schooling.
(See table 1.)

Women were more likely than men to have received a bachelor's degree
by age 25, and this gap did not decrease by age 33. Twenty-two percent
of men had earned a bachelor's degree by age 25, compared with 29 percent
of women. By 33 years of age, 30 percent of men had earned a bachelor's
degree compared to 37 percent of women. In total, 66 percent of men had
either attended some college or received a bachelor's degree, compared with
75 percent of women. In addition to being more likely to attend college,
women were more likely to have finished their college degree. Of the 75
percent of women who started college, nearly 50 percent received a 
bachelor's degree by age 33. In comparison, of the 66 percent of men who
started college, 45 percent had received a bachelor's degree.

At age 33, there was a large difference in educational attainment among
racial and ethnic groups. Blacks and Hispanics or Latinos were more
likely than Whites to have dropped out of high school. In comparison,
Whites were more likely to have ever attended college (73 percent of 
Whites, compared to 63 percent of Blacks and 62 percent of Hispanics or
Latinos) and nearly twice as likely to have received a bachelor's degree
by this age. Thirty-eight percent of Whites had received a bachelor's 
degree at age 33, compared with 20 percent of both Blacks and Hispanics
or Latinos.

Within each racial and ethnic group examined at age 33, women were more
likely to have a bachelor's degree than men. White women were more likely
than White men to have received a bachelor's degree (42 percent compared
with 34 percent), Black women were more likely than Black men (25 percent
compared with 15 percent), and Hispanic or Latino women were more likely
than Hispanic or Latino men (22 percent compared with 18 percent) to
have received a bachelor's degree.

Employment Experiences from Age 18 through Age 32

Americans born in 1980-84 held an average of 8.2 jobs from ages 18 through
32, with over half of these jobs held from ages 18 to 22. Men held an
average of 8.1 jobs and women held an average of 8.3 jobs. Women at higher
levels of educational attainment held more jobs than women at lower levels.
Women with a bachelor's degree held 8.8 jobs from ages 18 through 32,
compared with 6.5 jobs for female high school dropouts. Men held a similar
number of jobs regardless of their level of educational attainment. (See
table 2.) A job is defined as a period of work, including gaps, with a
particular employer. (See the Technical Note for additional information 
on the definition of a job.)

Examining employment experiences by smaller age brackets shows individuals
held fewer jobs in each subsequent age bracket. Individuals held an average 
of 4.5 jobs in the 5-year period from ages 18 to 22. The number of jobs
individuals held dropped to 3.3 jobs in the 5-year period from ages 23 to
27, and then dropped further to 2.3 jobs in the 5-year period from ages 28
to 32. The pattern of individuals holding fewer jobs as they aged was similar
across all sexes, racial and ethnic groups, and levels of educational
attainment.

Duration of Employment Relationships

The length of time a worker remains with an employer increased with the
age at which the worker began the job. Of the jobs began between ages 18
to 24, the average worker had 57 percent of jobs end in less than a year
and 90 percent of jobs end in less than 6 years. Among jobs began when 25
to 32 years old, the average worker had 37 percent of jobs end in less than
a year and 73 percent end in less than 6 years.

Job duration is also related to education. Sixty-five percent of the jobs 
the average high school dropout started while age 18 to 24 ended within a
year, compared with 55 percent of jobs started at those ages by the average
individual with a bachelor's degree. (See table 3.)

Among individuals with less than a high school diploma who started jobs
when they were 25 to 32 years of age, the average individual had 53 percent
of these jobs end in less than a year and 85 percent end in less than 6
years. In comparison, for the average individuals with a bachelor's degree
who started jobs at those ages, 29 percent of the jobs ended in under 1 year
and only 67 percent ended in less than 6 years.

Percent of Weeks Employed, Unemployed, and Not in the Labor Force

On average, individuals born in 1980-84 were employed during 75 percent
of all the weeks from age 18 through age 32, unemployed--that is, without
a job but seeking work--6 percent of the weeks, and not in the labor force--
that is, neither working nor seeking work--19 percent of the weeks. (See
table 4.)

As a whole, individuals with higher levels of educational attainment were
employed for a higher percentage of weeks and unemployed for a lower
percentage of weeks than individuals with lower levels of education. The
percentage of weeks not in the labor force decreased with increases in
educational attainment.

Men were more active in the labor market than women from ages 18 to 32. As
a whole, they spent less time not in the labor force than women (16 percent
compared with 23 percent) and more time employed (78 percent compared with
72 percent). This relationship held at all levels of educational attainment
except among those with a bachelor's degree. Women with a bachelor's degree
and higher spent the same proportion of weeks employed as similarly educated
men (81 percent) and the same time not in the labor force (16 percent).

Employment gaps existed between racial and ethnic groups. On average, Whites
were employed during 77 percent of the weeks that occurred from age 18
through age 32, Hispanics or Latinos were employed during 74 percent of
the weeks, and Blacks were employed during 66 percent of the weeks.

The employment gap between Whites and Blacks is more pronounced at lower
levels of educational attainment. White high school dropouts spent 56 percent
of weeks employed from ages 18 through 32, while Black dropouts spent 37
percent of weeks employed during these ages.

The gap is smaller among those who held a bachelor's degree. White college
graduates spent 82 percent of weeks employed, while Black college graduates
spent 79 percent of weeks employed.

The employment gap between Hispanics or Latinos and Blacks is also more
pronounced at lower levels of educational attainment. Hispanic or Latino
dropouts spent 57 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 through 32, while
Black dropouts spent 37 percent of weeks employed during these ages.
Hispanic or Latino and Black college graduates spent a similar percentage
of weeks employed (80 percent compared with 79 percent).

Individuals spent 68 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 22, 78
percent of weeks employed from ages 23 to 27, and 78 percent of weeks
employed from ages 28 to 32. Men spent a higher percentage of weeks employed 
in each subsequent age bracket, but this was not the case for women. Men
spent 69 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 22; this increased to
81 percent of weeks from ages 23 to 27 and then increased slightly to 83
percent from ages 28 to 32. Women spent 68 percent of weeks employed
from ages 18 to 22; this increased to 75 percent of weeks from ages 23
to 27, but decreased slightly to 73 percent from ages 28 to 32. Men were
employed a higher percentage of weeks than women within all age brackets.
(See table 5.)

The employment gap between racial and ethnic groups also existed within
each age bracket analyzed. Within all age brackets, Whites were employed
a higher percentage of weeks than both Blacks and Hispanics or Latinos,
and Hispanics or Latinos were employed a higher percentage of weeks than
Blacks.

As these individuals aged, they generally spent less time out of the labor
force. Men spent 24 percent of weeks not in the labor force from 18 to 22
years of age, 12 percent of weeks from ages 23 to 27, and 11 percent from
ages 28 to 32. Women spent 27 percent of weeks out of the labor force from
ages 18 to 22, and 20 percent and 22 percent of weeks out of the labor
force at ages 23 to 27 and ages 28 to 32, respectively. At older ages,
women were nearly twice as likely as men to not be in the labor force.

Partner Status and Employment Experiences

At 25 years of age, 27 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were
married, 20 percent were cohabiting (unmarried and living with a partner),
and 52 percent were single (not married and not living with a partner). 
Comparatively, at 33 years of age, 50 percent were married, 17 percent 
were cohabiting, and 33 percent were single. (See table 6.)

At age 33, those with higher levels of education were more likely to be
married and less likely to be cohabiting than those with lower levels of
education. At the time of their 33rd birthday, 32 percent of high school
dropouts, 42 percent of high school graduates with no college, 49 percent
of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 60 percent of
college graduates were married. Twenty-eight percent of those with less
than a high school diploma were cohabiting, compared with only 13 percent
of those with a bachelor's degree and higher.

Partner status varied greatly by race and ethnicity. Blacks were more likely
to be single than either Whites or Hispanics or Latinos. At 33 years of
age, 56 percent of Blacks were single, compared with 27 percent of Whites
and 36 percent of Hispanics or Latinos. Blacks were also significantly less
likely to be married than either Whites or Hispanics or Latinos (30 percent
compared with 56 percent and 45 percent, respectively).

At both ages 25 and 33, women were significantly more likely to be married
and less likely to be single than men. By their 33rd birthday, 53 percent
of women were married, 30 percent were single, and 17 percent were cohabiting,
while 46 percent of men were married, 36 percent were single, and 18 percent
were cohabiting. Women were also more likely to be married than men at each
level of educational attainment.

Compared with individuals who were single at age 33, those who were married
worked more weeks from ages 18 to 32, spent fewer weeks unemployed, and
spent fewer weeks not in the labor force. From ages 18 to 32, single
individuals spent 70 percent of weeks employed, 8 percent of weeks unemployed,
and 22 percent of weeks not in the labor force, while those who were married
spent 78 percent of weeks employed, 4 percent of weeks unemployed, and 18
percent of weeks not in the labor force. Cohabiting individuals spent 74
percent of weeks employed, 7 percent of weeks unemployed, and 19 percent of
weeks not in the labor force. (See table 7.)

Men accounted for most of the variation in employment experiences by partner
status. Married men worked more weeks, were unemployed fewer weeks, and were
less likely to be not in the labor force than either single or cohabiting men.
Married men spent 84 percent of weeks employed, compared with 71 percent for
single men and 77 percent for cohabiting men. They spent 5 percent of weeks
unemployed, compared with 8 percent for both single men cohabiting men.
Married men spent 12 percent of weeks out of the labor force, compared with
21 percent for single men and 15 percent for cohabiting men. In contrast,
there were limited differences in the employment experiences of women by 
partner status. Married women were employed a slightly higher percentage 
of weeks than non-married women (73 percent compared with 69 percent for 
single women and 71 percent for cohabiting women) and were unemployed a
lower percentage of weeks than either single or cohabiting women (4 percent
compared with 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively).

Married individuals also worked more weeks than single individuals within
racial and ethnic groups. Married Whites spent a higher percentage of weeks
employed than single Whites (79 percent compared with 73 percent), married
Blacks spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single Blacks (72
percent compared with 63 percent), and married Hispanics or Latinos spent
a higher percentage of weeks employed than single Hispanics or Latinos
(76 percent compared with 72 percent).




Technical Note

The estimates in this release were obtained using data from the first 18 rounds of the
National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). This survey is conducted by the
Center for Human Resource Research at The Ohio State University and the National Opinion
Research Center at the University of Chicago under the direction and sponsorship of
the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sample

The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 is a nationally representative sample
of 8,984 young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. This sample
is composed of the following groups:

   --A cross-sectional sample designed to represent the noninstitutionalized, civilian
     segment of young people living in the U.S. in 1997 and born between January 1,
     1980, and December 31, 1984.

   --Supplemental samples of Hispanic or Latino and Black youths living in the U.S. in
     1997 and born between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1984.

This sample size is not adjusted for sample members who have died.

Individuals were surveyed annually from 1997–2011 and biennially since 2011. In 2017-18,
6,734 individuals responded to the survey, for a retention rate of 75 percent 
(representing a 77 percent response rate among those sample members who are still living).
Only these individuals are included in the estimates in this release. This release examines 
the period from respondents’ 18th birthday until their 33rd birthday. All results are
weighted using the survey weights from the round in the year the respondents turned 33,
with the exception of age 25 characteristics in Tables 1 and 6, which use survey weights
at age 25. The survey weights correct for interview nonresponse and permanent attrition
from the survey. When weighted, the data represent all people who were born in the years
1980 to 1984 and living in the U.S. in 1997. Not represented by the survey are U.S. 
immigrants who were born from 1980 to 1984 and moved to the U.S. after 1997. NLSY97 
sample members remain eligible to be interviewed during military service or if they become
incarcerated or institutionalized.

Work history data

The total number of jobs that people hold during their work life is an easy concept to
understand but a difficult one to measure. Reliable estimates require a survey that
interviews the same people over the course of their entire work life and also keeps track
of all the jobs they ever held. The NLSY97 tracks the number of jobs that people have
held, but the respondents in this survey are still young and have many years of work
life ahead of them. As the cohort continues to age, however, more complete information
will become available.

A unique feature of the NLSY97 is that it collects the beginning and ending dates of all
jobs held by a respondent so that a longitudinal history can be constructed of each
respondent’s work experiences. The NLSY97 work history data provide a week-by-week work
record of each respondent from January 1, 1994, through the most recent survey date.
These data contain information on the respondent’s labor force status each week, the
usual hours worked per week at all jobs, and earnings for all jobs. If a respondent
worked at more than one job in any week, hours and earnings are obtained for additional
jobs. When a respondent who missed one or more consecutive survey rounds is interviewed
again, he or she is asked to provide information about all time since the last interview.

Interaction between time and age in a longitudinal survey

Because the NLSY97 is a longitudinal survey, meaning the same people are surveyed over
time, the ages of the respondents change with each survey round. It is important to keep
in mind this inherent link between the calendar years and the ages of the respondents.
The youngest respondents in the sample (birth year 1984) turned 33 during calendar year
2017, whereas the oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned 33 during calendar year
2013. Some respondents may not be used in all tables if information about their work
history is incomplete.

As with age, the education attainment of individuals may change from year to year.
Educational attainment is taken at the time of the respondents’ 33rd birthday. If a
respondent had not earned a high school diploma or General Educational Development
(GED) credential, he or she is counted as a high school dropout. Individuals with an
associate degree or any enrollment in college after high school are counted as having 
some college.

Definitions

Job. A job is defined as a period of work with a particular employer. Jobs are therefore
employer-based, not position- based. If a respondent indicates that he or she left a job
but in a subsequent survey returned to the same job, it would not be counted as a new
job. For self-employed workers, each "new" job is defined by the individuals themselves.

Employed. The NLSY97 collects employment histories for civilian jobs and military service.
Respondents are classified as employed if they did any work during the specified time
period as paid employees, as self-employed proprietors of their own businesses, as unpaid
workers in a business owned by a member of their family, or if they were serving in the
Armed Forces.

Unemployed. Respondents are classified as unemployed if they did not work during the
specified time period but reported that they looked for work or were on layoff from a
job. No probing for intensity of job search is done.

Not in the labor force. Respondents are classified as not in the labor force if they 
did not work or look for work during the specified time period.

Partner Status. Partner status is determined during the month the individual turned 33.
Respondents who are married but not living with their spouses are counted as married.
To be marked as cohabitating, the respondent must be living with an individual of either
gender for at least one month in a sexual relationship. Living with roommates or parents
would not affect partner status. Respondents who are not married and not cohabitating
are counted as single.

Race and ethnic groups. In this release, the findings are reported for non-Hispanic 
Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics or Latinos. These groups are mutually
exclusive but not exhaustive. Other groups, which are included in the overall totals,
are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not 
sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. In other BLS
publications, estimates usually are published for Whites, Blacks, and
Hispanics or Latinos, but these groups are not mutually exclusive. The term Hispanic
or Latino is considered to be an ethnicity group, and Hispanics or Latinos can be of
any race. Most other BLS publications include estimates for Hispanics or Latinos in
the White and Black race groups in addition to the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity group.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon
request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.




Table 1. Educational attainment of individuals at ages 25 and 33 in 2005-2017 by sex, race, and Hispanic 
or Latino ethnicity        											

(Percent distribution)									
                                                Educational Attainment
                                                
                                       High School Graduates                 College
                                       
                                                      General
     Characteristic         High            High     Educational                      Bachelor's
                           school          school    Development              Some    degree and
                          dropouts  Total  diploma (GED) recipients   Total  college  higher (1)


Total, age 25 in 2005-2009  8.7	    26.7    19.7	7.1	      64.2     39.0	25.2
 White, non-Hispanic .....  7.1	    26.1    19.5	6.5	      66.6     37.0	29.6
 Black, non-Hispanic ..... 13.2	    30.1    19.5       10.5	      55.7     43.0	12.7
 Hispanic or Latino ...... 12.4	    30.3    23.8	6.5	      56.8     44.4	12.4

								
Men ......................  8.7	    30.5    22.3	8.3	      60.3     38.6	21.7
 White, non-Hispanic .....  6.8	    29.8    22.4	7.5	      63.2     37.0	26.2
 Black, non-Hispanic ..... 14.7	    35.4    21.8       13.6	      48.3     39.3	 9.0
 Hispanic or Latino ...... 12.6     33.1    25.9	7.2	      53.7     44.0	 9.7

								
Women ....................  8.6	    23.0    17.1	5.9	      68.1     39.4	28.6
 White, non-Hispanic .....  7.3	    22.4    16.8	5.6	      69.9     37.0	32.9	
 Black, non-Hispanic ..... 11.9	    25.0    17.4	7.6	      62.8     46.5	16.3
 Hispanic or Latino ...... 12.1	    27.3    21.6	5.7	      60.0     44.9	15.2

								
Total, age 33 in 2013-2017  6.4	    23.1    15.7	7.4	      70.4     37.2	33.2
 White, non-Hispanic .....  5.4	    21.9    15.7	6.2	      72.6     34.9	37.7
 Black, non-Hispanic .....  9.1	    27.0    15.4       11.6	      63.4     43.3	20.1
 Hispanic or Latino ......  9.9	    28.1    19.8	8.2  	      61.8     41.8	19.9

									
Men ......................  6.6	    27.0    17.9	9.1	      66.2     36.6	29.6
 White, non-Hispanic .....  5.6	    25.5    18.1	7.4	      68.9     34.9	34.0
 Black, non-Hispanic ..... 10.0	    34.2    17.6       16.6	      55.2     40.4	14.8
 Hispanic or Latino ...... 10.2	    31.0    21.8	9.1	      58.6     41.0	17.7

								
Women ....................  6.1	    19.0    13.4	5.5	      74.8     37.7	37.0
 White, non-Hispanic .....  5.3	    18.3    13.3	5.0	      76.4     34.9	41.5
 Black, non-Hispanic .....  8.3	    19.6    13.1	6.5	      71.7     46.2	25.4
 Hispanic or Latino ......  9.5	    24.8    17.6	7.2	      65.3     42.8	22.4
						
								
   (1) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.								
   NOTE: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of individuals who were 
ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually 
exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are 
not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large 
to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the month 
of the respondent's 25th or 33rd birthday.		




Table 2. Number of jobs held by individuals from age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017 by educational attainment,
sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and age				

                                                          
                                                                   Average number of jobs for persons
								      ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 (1) 
            Characteristic                                                       		
                                                                          Ages 18       Ages 23       Ages 28
                                                           Total (2)       to 22         to 27         to 32    

				
Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 .....................       8.2	    4.5	          3.3	        2.3
  Less than a high school diploma  ....................       7.3	    3.9	          2.8		1.9
  High school graduates, no college (3) ...............       7.6	    4.3	  	  3.0		2.0
  Some college or associate degree ....................       8.5	    4.7		  3.3		2.4
  Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....................       8.5	    4.6		  3.5		2.4

				
Men ...................................................       8.1	    4.4	          3.3	        2.3
  Less than a high school diploma  ....................       8.0	    4.4	          3.1    	2.1
  High school graduates, no college (3) ...............       7.9	    4.4	          3.2		2.2
  Some college or associate degree ....................       8.3	    4.5	          3.3		2.4
  Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....................       8.0	    4.2	          3.4		2.4

				
Women .................................................       8.3	    4.7	          3.3		2.2
  Less than a high school diploma  ....................       6.5	    3.4	          2.5		1.6
  High school graduates, no college (3) ...............       7.1	    4.1	          2.8		1.8
  Some college or associate degree ....................       8.6	    4.9	          3.3		2.3
  Bachelor's degree or higher (4) .....................       8.8	    4.9	          3.6		2.4


White, non-Hispanic ...................................       8.4	    4.7	          3.3		2.3
  Less than a high school diploma  ....................       8.1	    4.5     	  3.0		2.0
  High school graduates, no college (3) ...............       7.7	    4.5	          3.0		2.0
  Some college or associate degree ....................       8.7	    4.9	          3.3		2.4
  Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....................       8.6	    4.8	          3.6		2.4

				
Black, non-Hispanic ...................................       7.9	    4.1	          3.2		2.3
  Less than a high school diploma  ....................       5.6	    2.9	          2.2		1.5
  High school graduates, no college (3) ...............       7.2	    3.9	          2.9		1.9
  Some college or associate degree ....................       8.7	    4.4	          3.5		2.5
  Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....................       8.3	    4.3	          3.4		2.6

				
Hispanic or Latino ....................................       7.4	    4.0	          3.1	        2.1
  Less than a high school diploma .....................       7.2	    3.7		  2.9		2.1
  High school graduates, no college (3) ...............       7.1	    3.8		  2.9		2.1
  Some college or associate degree ....................       7.5	    4.3		  3.0		2.1
  Bachelor's degree and higher (4) ....................       7.8	    4.1		  3.3		2.3

							
   (1) Time span includes up to the month before the respondent's 33rd birthday.				
   (2) Jobs that were held in more than one of the age categories were counted in each appropriate column, but only 
once in the total column.				
   (3) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.				
   (4) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.				
NOTE: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of individuals who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996.  
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are 
included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently 
large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the month of the respondent's 
33rd birthday.	




Table 3. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for individuals who started from age 18 through age 32 
in 1998-2017 by age at start of job, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity						


                                                                      
                                                     Cumulative percent distribution of duration of
                                                            completed employment relationships
                                                                                                                     
         Characteristic                                           
                                                 						       Percent 
                                           Less than   Less than   Less than   Less than   Less than   of jobs 
                                           1 year      2 years     3 years     6 years     13 years    ongoing
												       in 2017
												       survey
						
Total, ages 18 to 24 in 1998-2009 .......     57.2	  73.9	      81.5	  90.4	      95.2	   4.5
 Men ....................................     56.9	  73.0	      80.5	  89.3	      94.4	   5.4
 Women ..................................     57.5	  74.7	      82.5	  91.5	      96.1	   3.6
 White, non-Hispanic ....................     56.7	  73.2	      81.0	  89.9	      95.2	   4.5
 Black, non-Hispanic ....................     62.3	  78.2	      84.8	  92.3	      96.1	   3.7
 Hispanic or Latino .....................     54.5	  72.1	      80.0	  89.8	      94.6	   5.3
 Less than a high school diploma ........     65.4	  80.7	      85.9	  92.1	      96.0	   3.6
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..     56.4	  72.7	      79.9	  88.6	      94.5	   5.0
 Some college or associate degree .......     58.3	  74.8	      81.8	  90.5	      95.1	   4.7
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......     55.1	  72.4	      81.4	  91.2	      95.8	   4.1

						
Total, ages 25 to 32 in 2005-2017 .......     37.3	  54.1	      62.5	  72.5	      75.1	  24.9
 Men ....................................     35.5	  52.0	      60.2	  70.0	      72.6	  27.4
 Women ..................................     39.1	  56.3	      64.9	  75.1	      77.6	  22.4
 White, non-Hispanic ....................     36.2	  52.7	      61.2	  71.5	      74.2	  25.8
 Black, non-Hispanic ....................     42.0	  59.3	      67.9	  76.4	      77.8	  22.2
 Hispanic or Latino  ....................     36.9	  54.2	      63.0	  73.2	      75.6	  24.4
 Less than a high school diploma ........     52.9	  70.0	      77.0	  85.1	      86.0	  14.0
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..     40.0	  56.8	      64.9	  74.3	      77.1	  22.9
 Some college or associate degree .......     40.7	  57.9	      66.3	  74.9	      77.3	  22.7
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......     29.0	  45.4	      54.2	  66.7	      69.5	  30.5
						
						
   (1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) 
credential.						
   (2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.						
   NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017-18. The National 
Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race 
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are 
included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not 
sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the month
of the respondent's 33rd birthday.					




Table 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor 
force from age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017 by educational attainment, sex, race, 
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.					

                                                Percent of total weeks while ages 
                                                       18 to 32 in 1998-2017					
           Characteristic                                                           
                                                                                    
                                                                             Not in 
                                                                             labor 
                                                 Employed    Unemployed      force		
									
Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ...........      74.8		 6.0	      19.2
 Less than a high school diploma  ............     51.9	        12.0	      36.1 
 High school graduates, no college (1) ......      71.0		 8.0	      21.0
 Some college or associate degree ...........      75.7		 6.5	      17.8
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ...........      80.8		 2.9	      16.3		

					
Men .........................................      77.9		 6.6	      15.5
 Less than a high school diploma  ............     63.5		13.4	      23.2
 High school graduates, no college (1) ......      76.0		 8.6	      15.3
 Some college or associate degree ...........      79.6		 6.7	      13.7
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ...........      80.6		 3.1	      16.3

					
Women .......................................      71.6		 5.5	      23.0
 Less than a high school diploma  ............     38.9		10.5	      50.6
 High school graduates, no college (1) ......      63.5		 7.1	      29.4
 Some college or associate degree ...........      71.7		 6.4	      21.9
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ...........      80.9		 2.8	      16.2


White, non-Hispanic .........................      77.1		 5.0	      17.9
 Less than a high school diploma  ............     56.2		11.2	      32.6
 High school graduates, no college (1) ......      74.5		 6.8	      18.7
 Some college or associate degree ...........      77.3		 5.4	      17.3
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ...........      81.5		 2.6	      15.9

			
Black, non-Hispanic .........................      65.6		10.8	      23.7
 Less than a high school diploma  ............     37.0		16.2	      46.9
 High school graduates, no college (1) ......      60.2		12.2	      27.6
 Some college or associate degree ...........      68.8		11.4	      19.9
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ...........      78.8		 5.1	      16.1
		
					
Hispanic or Latino ..........................      73.9		 6.1	      20.0
 Less than a high school diploma  ............     56.8		 9.7	      33.5
 High school graduates, no college (1) ......      70.1		 7.6	      22.3
 Some college or associate degree ...........      77.5		 5.4	      17.0
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) ...........      80.1		 3.7	      16.2
						
					
   (1) Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education 
Development (GED)) credential.					
   (2) Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.		
   NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when 
interviewed in 2017-18. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young 
men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino 
ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which 
are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation 
in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. 
Educational attainment is determined during the month of the respondent's 33rd birthday.




Table 5. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor 
force from age 18 through age 32 in 1998-2017 by age, educational attainment, sex, race, 
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity					

                                                        Percent of total weeks

           Age and characteristic                                                    
                                                                                     
                                                                                Not in
                                                                                labor
                                                    Employed    Unemployed      force

Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ...............      74.8	    6.0		 19.2		
 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 .....................      68.3	    6.4		 25.3
 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012 .....................      78.1	    6.0		 15.9
 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 .....................      78.0	    5.8		 16.3

							
Men, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 .................      77.9	    6.6		 15.5
 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 .....................      69.1	    7.0		 23.9
 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012 .....................      81.4	    6.7		 11.9
 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 .....................      83.1	    6.2		 10.7

 					
Women, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ...............      71.6	    5.5		 23.0
 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 .....................      67.5	    5.8		 26.8
 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012 .....................      74.7	    5.4		 20.0
 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 .....................      72.6	    5.4		 22.0

					
White, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 .      77.1	    5.0		 17.9
 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 .....................      71.5	    5.2		 23.4
 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012 .....................      80.1	    5.1		 14.7
 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 .....................      79.8	    4.7		 15.5

					
Black, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 .      65.6	   10.8		 23.7
 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 .....................      56.9	   11.2		 31.9
 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012 .....................      69.5	   10.3		 20.2
 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 .....................      70.2	   10.9		 18.9

							
Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 ..      73.9	    6.1		 20.0
 Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2007 .....................      67.6	    7.0		 25.5
 Ages 23 to 27 in 2003-2012 .....................      77.7	    5.9		 16.4
 Ages 28 to 32 in 2008-2017 .....................      76.4	    5.5		 18.1
					
					
  NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when 
interviewed in 2017-18. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists 
of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic 
or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race 
groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because 
their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide 
statistically reliable estimates. 					




Table 6. Partner status at age 25 and age 33 by educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                          Percent of individuals

							Age 25 in 2005-2009 		   Age 33 in 2013-2017 	
	             
             Characteristic                          Single    Married    Cohabiting    Single    Married    Cohabiting		
								

Total .........................................       52.3	 27.4	    20.3	33.0	   49.7       17.2
 Less than a high school diploma ..............       44.8	 24.7	    30.5	39.9	   32.1	      28.0
 High school graduates, no college (1) ........       45.3	 29.9	    24.9	36.0	   42.1	      21.9
 Some college or associate degree .............       53.0	 29.4	    17.7	34.8	   48.6	      16.7
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .............       61.4	 22.5	    16.1	27.8	   59.7	      12.5

										
Men ...........................................       59.5	 22.1	    18.4	35.9	   46.3	      17.7
 Less than a high school diploma ..............       52.8	 19.5	    27.8	41.6	   31.5	      26.9
 High school graduates, no college (1) ........       51.9	 24.2	    23.9	38.8	   38.3	      23.0
 Some college or associate degree .............       60.5	 24.0	    15.5	37.9	   45.0	      17.1
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .............       71.0	 16.9	    12.1	29.6	   58.7	      11.7
		
								
Women .........................................       45.3	 32.5	    22.2	30.1	   53.3	      16.7
 Less than a high school diploma ..............       36.8	 30.0	    33.3	38.0	   32.8	      29.2
 High school graduates, no college (1) ........       36.6	 37.2	    26.2	31.9	   47.7	      20.4
 Some college or associate degree .............       45.7	 34.5	    19.8	31.6	   52.2	      16.2
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .............       54.3	 26.7	    19.0	26.3	   60.5	      13.2
		
								
White, non-Hispanic ...........................       48.6	 30.8	    20.7	26.8	   56.0	      17.2
 Less than a high school diploma ..............       37.4	 32.4	    30.3	38.6	   33.3	      28.1
 High school graduates, no college (1) ........       39.8	 33.9	    26.3	28.8	   47.7	      23.6
 Some college or associate degree .............       48.6	 33.5	    17.9	28.4	   55.0	      16.6
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .............       58.8	 24.3	    16.8	22.6	   64.9       12.5
		
								
Black, non-Hispanic ...........................       68.0	 12.9	    19.1	55.8	   29.5	      14.7
 Less than a high school diploma ..............       70.4	  7.3	    22.4	53.1	   26.4       20.5
 High school graduates, no college (1) ........       66.5	 11.7	    21.8	60.7	   23.3	      16.0
 Some college or associate degree .............       66.7	 15.1	    18.2	53.9	   30.8	      15.2
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .............       73.4	 14.4	    12.2	54.4	   36.2	       9.3
		
								
Hispanic or Latino ............................       48.7	 30.8	    20.5	35.7	   44.9	      19.4
 Less than a high school diploma ..............       32.9	 25.1	    42.0	28.9	   35.3	      35.8
 High school graduates, no college (1) ........       43.6	 35.2	    21.2	35.8	   42.9	      21.3
 Some college or associate degree .............       52.7	 31.2	    16.2	37.3	   45.9	      16.8
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .............       62.8	 24.4	    12.7	35.6	   50.5	      14.0
							
															
  (1)  Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.	
  (2)  Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.				
  NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017-18. The National 
Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race 
and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are 
included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not 
sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment and partner status are 
determined during the month of the respondent's 25th or 33rd birthday.	




Table 7. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 32 
in 1998-2017 by partner status, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity                       
                                                                                                                       
                                                              Percent total weeks while ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017		
						
            Characteristic                                                                                              
                                                    Single                     Married                     Cohabiting
	
                                                     Unem-   Not in              Unem-   Not in               Unem-   Not in
                                         Employed   ployed   labor   Employed	ployed   labor   Employed    ployed   labor
							     force                       force                        force
																
Total, ages 18 to 32 in 1998-2017 .......  70.1	     8.1      21.8     78.2	 4.2	  17.6	   74.0	     7.2      18.8
 Less than a high school diploma ........  45.6	    13.2      41.2     59.6	 9.7	  30.7	   51.9	    13.0      35.1
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..  65.2	    10.2      24.6     74.6	 6.0	  19.5	   73.7	     8.2      18.1
 Some college or associate degree .......  71.7	     8.5      19.8     78.6	 4.9	  16.6	   75.6	     7.3      17.1
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......  79.2	     4.3      16.6     81.5	 2.2	  16.3	   81.2	     3.5      15.2

Men .....................................  70.9	     8.4      20.7     83.7	 4.6	  11.7	   76.8	     8.0      15.2
 Less than a high school diploma ........  53.6	    14.9      31.5     74.5	10.7	  14.9	   65.8	    14.2      20.0
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..  67.0	    10.6      22.4     84.3	 6.8	   8.9	   77.4	     8.5      14.1
 Some college or associate degree .......  73.5	     8.1      18.4     85.4	 5.0	   9.6	   77.9	     8.1      14.0
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......  76.8	     4.4      18.9     82.8	 2.3	  14.9	   79.4	     3.7      16.8
												
Women ...................................  69.2	     7.8      23.1     73.2	 3.8	  23.0	   70.8	     6.4      22.8
 Less than a high school diploma ........  35.8	    11.2      53.0     43.6	 8.7	  47.7	   37.6	    11.7      50.7
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..  61.9	     9.7      28.5     63.0	 5.0	  32.0	   67.3	     7.8      24.9
 Some college or associate degree .......  69.4	     9.0      21.5     72.6	 4.8	  22.7	   73.2	     6.4      20.3
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......  81.4	     4.2      14.4     80.4	 2.1	  17.5	   82.5	     3.4      14.1
												
White, non-Hispanic .....................  73.3	     6.7      20.1     79.3	 3.6	  17.1	   76.1	     6.6      17.3
 Less than a high school diploma ........  51.5	    12.3      36.2     62.4	 9.1	  28.5	   55.2	    12.4      32.4
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..  71.1	     8.7      20.2     76.0	 5.2	  18.8	   75.5	     7.8      16.7
 Some college or associate degree .......  73.0	     6.9      20.1     79.5	 4.2	  16.3	   77.3	     6.7      16.0
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......  80.5	     3.5      16.0     81.8	 2.1	  16.1	   82.0	     3.3      14.7
						
Black, non-Hispanic .....................  62.5	    11.5      26.0     72.2	 8.8	  19.1	   64.1	    11.9      24.0
 Less than a high school diploma ........  33.3	    16.2      50.5     45.3	15.3	  39.5	   35.9	    17.1      47.0
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..  55.3	    12.6      32.1     70.1	11.5	  18.4	   64.4	    11.9      23.8
 Some college or associate degree .......  66.7	    12.1      21.2     72.9	 9.5	  17.6	   67.6	    12.6      19.8
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......  76.9	     6.6      16.5     81.6	 3.0	  15.5	   79.2	     4.3      16.5
												
Hispanic or Latino ......................  72.1      7.8      20.1     75.8	 4.4	  19.7	   72.7      6.9      20.4
 Less than a high school diploma ........  49.8	    11.2      39.0     62.5	 7.1	  30.4	   57.0	    11.1      32.0
 High school graduates, no college (1) ..  65.7	     9.8      24.6     72.0	 6.0	  22.0	   73.8	     7.2      19.0
 Some college or associate degree .......  77.4	     6.9      15.7     78.0	 4.1	  17.9	   76.6	     5.9      17.5
 Bachelor's degree and higher (2) .......  78.7	     5.8      15.6     80.9	 2.3	  16.8	   80.6	     3.4      16.0
											
												
  (1)  Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.		
  (2)  Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.					
  NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 33 when interviewed in 2017-18. The National Longitudinal 
Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino 
ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are 
not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large ENOUGH to provide statistically 
reliable estimates. Educational attainment and partner status are determined during the month of the respondent's 33rd birthday.




Last Modified Date: October 05, 2023