The multidimensional nature of the diversity of the nation's labor force was examined, with emphasis on the economic diversity within the population generally and within and among the demographic groups. Principal activities were a literature review focusing on the economics of the labor market, analysis of data from the 1980 Census, and a conference on training a diverse population. Findings were as follows: (1) the work force of the future will not be dramatically different; (2) Blacks had great difficulty in finding and keeping employment; (3) Hispanic men had unemployment rates between those of Whites and Blacks but earned very low wages; (4) Asians/Pacific Islanders had high rates of labor force participation, relatively low unemployment, and high earnings; and (5) Native Americans had low rates of labor force participation, high rates of unemployment, and low earnings. Sources of the diversity of experiences were human capital, sociological diversity, discrimination, and geographic location. Groups varied among and within themselves as to the human capital their members possessed. They varied among themselves along several sociocultural dimensions and showed patterns of geographic concentration. Discrimination was a fact of life for minorities and women. Analyses point to policy implications in these areas, including the need to: increase human capital, expand opportunity, help people to adjust to U.S. society, and reduce or eliminate discrimination. (Appendixes include a 76-item bibliography, supporting tables, and a list of attendees at the July 1990 conference on Training a Diverse Population. (YLB)