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ERIC Number: ED271567
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1986-Mar
Pages: 30
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Labor Market Changes in the Next Ten Years. Issue Paper No. 4.
Barnow, Burt S.
Although projecting what the labor market will be like in 10 years is extremely difficult, it is useful to consider what is in store for the nation in terms of employment. In 1985, the civilian labor force of the United States averaged 115 million persons, with 8 million (7.2 percent) unemployed. Unemployment was much higher for young people and minority groups. It is expected that the labor force will grow by 15.6 million people between 1985 and 1995. The growth rate will vary considerably, however, among various demographic groups. The labor force is projected to be concentrated among prime-age workers, with a slightly higher median age than in 1984. The majority of growth is expected to result from increasing labor force participation by women. Employment opportunities will not change dramatically over the next 10 years. Although some professions will have substantial growth, the demand for labor among most professions will remain constant or increase slightly. Demand and supply should hold steady. One clear trend that is emerging is that persons entering the labor force have more years of schooling than those they replace. Although this fact should mean that workers are more adaptable to change in the workplace, this may not be the case, since the quality of schooling has declined. With the changes taking place in technology, the labor market needs more responsive educational institutions to meet the demands of the next 10 years and beyond. (KC)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Department of Labor, Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A