Skip to main content
Back to Show
PBS News Hour

Why has labor participation hit a 38-year low?

In June, the U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs and unemployment fell to its lowest rate in seven years. But the proportion of Americans working or looking for work is now the smallest it’s been in nearly four decades, and wages remain flat. For an in-depth outlook on employment, Judy Woodruff speaks to Harry Holzer of Georgetown University.

Support Provided By
Season
January 30, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 30, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 29, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 29, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 28, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 28, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 23, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 23, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 27, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 27, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 22, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 22, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 26, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 26, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 21, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 21, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 19, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 19, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 16, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 16, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 15, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
56:46
January 15, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Active loading indicator