Due to the continuing tight labor market in the U.S., teens are having an
easier time finding jobs and are finding them faster than at any time in
recent history, according to an analysis of historical data compiled today
by the Employment Policy Foundation (EPF).
The teenage unemployment rate this June is at its lowest rate for this time
of year since 1953, according to data released this morning by the
Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There were 1.4 million
teenagers looking for work in June (defined as those actively looking for
work), while 85.6 percent of the teenage workforce wanting to work had
already found jobs. Looking at the numbers another way, over 8.2 million
teenagers had jobs in June 2000, compared to only 7.9 million in June
1999 -- or almost a 4 percent increase. Of the 16-19 year-old population,
there were 51.6 percent holding jobs -- the highest proportion of teenagers
working in June since 1988.
"Teenage unemployment went up by much less than expected based on historical
averages, demonstrating the tightness of the labor market and the strength
of America's economic engine," said Ron Bird, EPF's chief economist.
Historically, teen unemployment in June goes up compared to May as new high
school graduates and students on summer vacation finish school and flood the
job market, which causes the unemployment numbers to swell. But this year,
there were 5.4 percent fewer unemployed teens compared to previous years
(1972-1999). In raw numbers, the 5.4 percent difference means that 76,000
more young people had already found jobs when the June survey was conducted,
instead of still being on the street, looking for work. "This teen
employment improvement is another benefit of continuing strong economic
growth," Bird concluded.
-- Article courtesy of Employment Policy Foundation.
