[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fcis%2Fshare-of-men-not-in-labor-force-at-historic-highs Tweet ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fcis%2Fshare-of-men-not-in-labor-force-at-historic-highs)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])
Share of Men Not in Labor Force at Historic Highs ([link removed])
New analysis questions wisdom of continued mass immigration
when a large number of potential workers are available
Washington, D.C. (November 17, 2025) — A new update ([link removed]) from the Center for Immigration Studies shows that the share of American men not in the labor force — neither working nor looking for work — remains near historic highs, continuing a 60-year trend. Mass immigration both contributes to this problem and reduces the economic and political incentives to address it.
Being out of the labor force is associated with profound social problems such as crime, overdose deaths, and welfare dependency. Despite this, many advocate for high levels of legal immigration, or even tolerating illegal immigration, on the grounds that there are not enough workers — while ignoring the long-term deterioration in U.S.-born male labor force participation.
Dr. Steven Camarota, the Center’s Director of Research and lead author of the report, emphasized that “given all the social pathologies associated with men not working, policymakers should consider encouraging work among the millions on the economic sidelines rather than bringing in ever more immigrants.”
Among the findings:
* The share of non-institutionalized U.S.-born, working-age (16 to 64) men not in the labor force has roughly returned to the level before Covid in 2019, but it remains historically very high. It was 11.3 percent in April 1960, 16.9 percent in April 2000, and 21.7 percent in April 2025.
* If the same share of U.S.-born men (16 to 64) were in the labor force in 2025 as in 1960, there would be 8.9 million more in the labor force. If it returned to the 2000 level, it would still add 4.1 million U.S.-born men to the labor force.
* If the same share of U.S.-born men and women together in the labor force returned to the 2000 level it would add 5.2 million working-age people to the labor force.
* Even among “prime-age” U.S.-born men (25 to 54), the group most likely to work, the share not in the labor force increased from 4 percent in April 1960 to 8.5 percent in 2000 and 11.2 percent in April of this year.
* The growth in the share of those who are not in the labor market has been most pronounced among U.S.-born men ages 20 to 64 without a bachelor’s degree, rising from 7 percent in 1960 to 15.9 percent in 2000, and to 21.3 percent in April of this year.
* Of “prime-age” U.S.-born men, 25 to 54 without a bachelor’s, the share not in the labor force increased from 4.2 percent in 1960, to 10.6 percent in 2000, to 14.8 percent in April 2025.
* Male immigrants (20 to 64) without a bachelor’s have not been entirely immune from the rise in the share not working. In 2006, 11 percent were not in the labor force. In 2025 it was 13.2 percent.
Related Articles:
Why Are So Many Working-Age Men Not in the Labor Force? ([link removed])
Job Gains Are Going to Immigrants and Keeping Young US-Born Men Out of the Workforce ([link removed])
============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** [link removed] ([link removed])
** Link ([link removed])
** RSS ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2025 Center for Immigration Studies, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Center for Immigration Studies
1629 K St., NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.
** View this e-mail in your browser. ([link removed])
This is the Center for Immigration Studies CISNews e-mail list.
