Full Citation
Title: The Influence of Population Characteristics on the Labor Force Participation Rates of Fourth District States
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2023
ISBN:
ISSN: 2691-9710
DOI: 10.26509/FRBC-DDB-20231115
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Abstract: The labor force participation rates (LFPRs) of the Fourth Federal Reserve District’s four states—Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia—are lower than the nation’s. In this Data Brief I assess how population characteristics affect these states’ LFPRs. Relative to the nation, Fourth District states’ older populations and higher disability rates are key reasons for lower participation rates. The LFPR is an estimate of what fraction of people are active in an economy’s workforce.1 The higher the rate, the more of a state’s population that is either working or available for work. This can lead to higher per capita income and output, as well as greater availability of workers. Based on 2021 data, the most recent available, Ohio’s LFPR was 63.8 percent and Pennsylvania’s was 63.7 percent, while Kentucky came in at 60.1 percent and West Virginia at 53.6 percent. The LFPR for the nation as a whole was 63.9 percent.2 For purposes of comparison, the District of Columbia ranked first, with a LFPR of 71.4 percent, while Ohio ranked 29th, Pennsylvania 30th, Kentucky 44th, and West Virginia last.
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Elvery, Joel A.
Publisher: Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure
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