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The Graying of America
October 5, 2006
One thousand days to learn; ten thousand days to refine.
-Japanese Proverb

Like populations in most industrialized nations, older workers will represent a growing proportion of the US workforce as the result of the aging baby-boom population and the high cost of retirement.  As covered in Work & Family Life (September 2005; [email protected]), a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, “Labor Force Projections to 2012,” predicts that by 2012…

  • The will be 10 million more working over the age of 55 in the labor force, a 50% rate of growth.  The number of workers between ages 35 and 44 will shrink by 3 million, or 6.8%.
  • The number of women aged 55 to 64 in the labor pool will increase from 41.8% in 1982 to 60.6% in 2012.
  • Among workers ages 65 to 74, labor force participation is expected to grow from 16.2% in 1982 to 23.6% by 2012.

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Comments (2)

Displaying All 2 Comments
Joan Whitley · October 05, 2006
Prov. Mount St. Vincent Intergenerational Learning Ctr.
Seattle, WA, United States


The stats seem logical. There are more people between 55 and 75 and a number will need to keep working as wages in our chosen field (early education and care) are not high, nor do they often come attached to a retirement program and social security doesn't quite pay the bills. Did I mention health care ? Medicare is more than likely is in our future and it still may not cover all costs for some folks. So, off to work we go.
As a nearly 65 myself, I want to switch to working part time, and that will definately keep me in the statistics for a few more years, maybe 10 as I am very healthy, thank you.
I believe as a group we are pretty healthy. AND still have much to contribute to the profession.

shaheen usmani · October 05, 2006
Mothercraft Institute for early development
Toronto, Ontario, United States


This is interesting statistics. I see a tremendous increase in the percentage of women labour force in the coming years which probably means women getting more independent. An increase in the number of "gray people" working also indicates better health among the 50s'.

It is surprising that people between ages 35 and 44 would be working less. Where will they be?

Shaheen



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