In July 2026, the employment-population ratio for teens ages 16-19 was 36.5 percent, compared to 67.5 percent for young adults ages 20-24, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This 30-percentage-point gap has remained consistent since the late 2000s. Both groups’ ratios have declined from historical highs: the 20-24 age group peaked at 76.7 percent in July 1989, while the 16-19 group reached 60.1 percent in July 1978. Since those peaks, the employment-population ratio fell by 9.2 percentage points for young adults and 23.6 points for teens. The data, from the Current Population Survey, reflects seasonal summer trends and is not seasonally adjusted. The analysis focuses on employment patterns among youth, as noted in the report ‘Employment and Unemployment among Youth — Summer 2026.’
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Materials reproduced from www.bls.gov.
No endorsement by BLS is implied.
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