HOUSEHOLD DATA
ANNUAL AVERAGES


35.  Persons not in the labor force by desire and availability for work, age, and sex

(In thousands)
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                             Total                        Age                                Sex            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                Category                                  16 to 24      25 to 54      55 years        Men          Women    
                                                           years         years        and over                              
                                          2003   2004                                                                       
                                                                                                                            
                                                        2003   2004   2003   2004   2003   2004   2003   2004   2003   2004 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
Total not in the labor force............ 74,658 75,956 13,800 14,151 20,980 21,288 39,878 40,517 28,197 28,730 46,461 47,225
  Do not want a job now (1)............. 69,932 71,103 12,079 12,422 18,857 19,136 38,996 39,545 26,073 26,565 43,859 44,538
  Want a job (1)........................  4,726  4,852  1,721  1,729  2,124  2,152    882    971  2,124  2,165  2,603  2,687
    Did not search for work in previous                                                                                     
     year...............................  2,631  2,715    882    886  1,129  1,145    620    684  1,127  1,126  1,503  1,590
    Searched for work in previous                                                                                       
     year (2)...........................  2,096  2,137    838    843    995  1,006    262    288    996  1,040  1,099  1,097
      Not available to work now.........    564    563    274    279    248    242     43     42    231    230    333    333
      Available to work now.............  1,531  1,574    565    565    747    764    220    245    765    809    766    765
        Reason not currently looking:                                                                                       
       Discouragement over job                                                                                   
        prospects (3)...................    457    466    134    142    248    240     75     84    266    288    190    178
          Reasons other than                                                                                                
           discouragement...............  1,075  1,108    431    423    499    524    145    161    499    521    576    587
            Family responsibilities.....    153    157     37     28     94    104     22     24     35     38    118    119
            In school or training.......    239    244    194    199     42     43      3      2    125    131    114    112
            Ill health or disability....    113    123     15     18     72     71     26     35     51     56     62     67
            Other (4)...................    570    584    184    178    292    306     94    100    288    296    282    288

  1 Includes some persons who are not asked if they want a job.
  2 Persons who had a job in the prior 12 months must have searched since the end of that job.
  3 Includes believes no work available, could not find work, lacks necessary schooling or training, employer thinks too
young or old, and other types of discrimination.
  4 Includes those who did not actively look for work in the prior 4 weeks for such reasons as child-care and transportation
problems, as well as a small number for which reason for nonparticipation was not ascertained.
  NOTE:  Beginning in January 2004, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.