For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, March 29, 2022 USDL-22-0554

Technical information: (202) 691-7410 • nls_info@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/nls 

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

LABOR MARKET EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, PARTNER STATUS, AND 

HEALTH FOR THOSE BORN 1980-1984

Americans born in the early 1980s held an average of 8.6 jobs from age 18 through age 34, the 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These adults held more jobs at younger ages: they held 

an average of 5.1 jobs from ages 18 to 23, compared with 2.1 jobs from ages 30 to 34. While ages 18 to 

34, women with more education held more jobs than women with less education. Regardless of

education, men held a similar number of jobs. 

These findings are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, a nationally representative 

survey of about 9,000 men and women who were born during the years 1980 to 1984. These respondents 

were ages 12 to 17 when first interviewed in 1997 and ages 34 to 40 when interviewed for the 19th time 

in 2019-20. The survey provides information on work and non-work experiences, training, schooling, 

income, assets, health, and other characteristics. The information provided by respondents is 

representative of all men and women born in the early 1980s and living in the United States when the 

survey began in 1997. 

This news release focuses on the employment experiences, educational attainment, partner status, and

health of these individuals from their 18th birthday until they turned 35. Highlights from the longitudinal 

survey among this group include: 

• Individuals held an average of 8.6 jobs from ages 18 through 34, with over half of these jobs being 

held between the ages of 18 and 23. (See table 1.) 

• Among individuals who started jobs while ages 18 to 24, the average individual had 61 percent of 

their jobs end in less than a year, compared with an average of 35 percent among those who started 

jobs while ages 25 to 35. In this older age range, job duration is significantly longer for those with 

more education. Among individuals with less than a high school education who started jobs while 

ages 25 to 35, the average individual had 49 percent of their jobs end in less than a year, compared 

with 28 percent among those with a bachelor's degree and higher. (See table 2.) 

• Women with less than a high school diploma were employed an average of 39 percent of weeks 

from ages 18 to 34, while men with less than a high school diploma were employed 64 percent of 

weeks. Among individuals with a bachelor's degree and higher, women were employed an average 

of 81 percent of weeks and men were employed an average of 82 percent of weeks. (See table 3.) 
-2- 

• Individuals were employed for an average of 75 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 34. This varied 

across age brackets: from ages 18 to 23 individuals were employed 70 percent of weeks, from ages 

24 to 29 individuals were employed 78 percent of weeks, and from ages 30 to 34 individuals were

employed 79 percent of weeks. (See table 4.)

• At their 25th birthday, 29 percent of women had received a bachelor's degree and higher, compared 

with 21 percent of men. By their 35th birthday, 39 percent of women held a bachelor's degree and 

higher, compared with 29 percent of men. Seventy-six percent of women had at least attended some

college by age 35, compared with 66 percent of men. (See table 5.) 

• At the time of their 35th birthday, 53 percent of individuals were married, 17 percent were

cohabiting, and 31 percent were single. The percent of individuals who were married varied by 

education; those with higher levels of education were more likely to be married and less likely to be

cohabiting than those with lower levels of education. (See table 6.) 

• Men who were single at age 35 were employed 71 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 34, 

compared with 84 percent of weeks for those who were married at age 35 and 77 percent for those 

who were cohabiting. The percentage of weeks employed varied less by partner status for women; 

women who were single at age 35 were employed 70 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 34, 

compared with 73 percent of weeks for those who were married and 72 percent for those who were 

cohabiting. (See table 7.) 

• The percent of individuals reporting that their health limits the kind or amount of work they can do 

increased as they aged. At 25 years of age, 6 percent of individuals reported that their health limits 

the kind or amount of work they can do, while at 35 years of age, 9 percent were limited. (See table 

8.) 

Employment Experiences from Age 18 through Age 34 

Americans born in 1980-84 held an average of 8.6 jobs from ages 18 through 34, with over half of these 

jobs held from ages 18 to 23. Men held an average of 8.5 jobs and women held an average of 8.7 jobs. 

Women at higher levels of educational attainment held more jobs than women at lower levels. Women 

with a bachelor's degree and higher held 9.1 jobs from ages 18 through 34, compared with 6.8 jobs for 

female high school dropouts. Men held a similar number of jobs regardless of their level of educational 

attainment. (See table 1.) A job is defined as a period of work, including gaps, with a particular 

employer. (See the Technical Note for additional information on the definition of a job.)

Examining employment experiences by smaller age brackets shows individuals held fewer jobs in each 

subsequent age bracket. Individuals held an average of 5.1 jobs in the 6-year period from ages 18 to 23. 

The number of jobs individuals held dropped to 3.3 jobs in the 6-year period from ages 24 to 29, and 

then dropped further to 2.1 jobs in the 5-year period from ages 30 to 34. The pattern of individuals 

holding fewer jobs as they aged was similar across groupings by sex, race and ethnicity, and level of

educational attainment. The diminishing slope in Chart 1 shows the decline in rate at which workers 

change jobs as they age. 
-3- 

Duration of Employment Relationships

The length of time a worker remains with an employer increased with the age at which the worker began 

the job. Of the jobs begun between ages 18 to 24, the average worker had 61 percent of jobs end in less 

than a year and 95 percent of jobs end in less than 6 years. Among jobs begun when 25 to 34 years old, 

the average worker had 35 percent of jobs end in less than a year and 71 percent end in less than 6 years.

Job duration is also related to education. Seventy percent of the jobs started by those with less than a 

high school diploma while ages 18 to 24 ended within a year, compared with 60 percent of jobs started 

at those ages by the average individual with a bachelor's degree and higher. (See table 2.)

Among individuals with less than a high school diploma who started jobs when they were 25 to 34 years

of age, the average individual had 49 percent of these jobs end in less than a year and 81 percent end in 

less than 6 years. In comparison, for the average individual with a bachelor's degree and higher who 

started jobs at those ages, 28 percent of the jobs ended in under 1 year and only 65 percent ended in less

than 6 years.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

Number of Jobs Held

Age

Chart 1. Cumulative number of jobs held from age 18 

through age 34 in 1998-2019, by sex and age 

Men

Women
-4- 

Percent of Weeks Employed, Unemployed, and Not in the Labor Force

On average, individuals born in 1980-84 were employed during 75 percent of all the weeks from

age 18 through age 34, unemployed—that is, without a job but seeking work—6 percent of the 

weeks, and not in the labor force—that is, neither working nor seeking work—19 percent of the 

weeks. (See table 3.) 

As a group, individuals with higher levels of educational attainment were employed for a higher 

percentage of weeks and unemployed for a lower percentage of weeks than individuals with

lower levels of education. The percentage of weeks not in the labor force decreased with

increases in educational attainment.

Men were more active in the labor market than women from ages 18 to 34. As a group, they 

spent less time not in the labor force than women (15 percent compared with 23 percent) and 

more time employed (79 percent compared with 72 percent). This pattern is also seen at each 

level of educational attainment except among those with a bachelor's degree and higher. Women 

with a bachelor's degree and higher spent almost the same proportion of weeks employed as

similarly educated men (81 percent and 82 percent, respectively). 

Employment gaps existed between racial and ethnic groups. On average, White individuals were

employedduring 78 percent of the weeks that occurred from age 18 through age 34, Hispanic or 

Latino individuals were employed during 75 percent of the weeks, and Black individuals were 

employed during 67 percent of the weeks.
-5- 

The employment gap between White and Black individuals is more pronounced at lower levels 

of educational attainment. White high school dropouts spent 57 percent of weeks employed from 

ages 18 through 34, while Black dropouts spent 39 percent of weeks employed during these ages.

The gap is smaller among those who held a bachelor's degree and higher. White college 

graduates spent 82 percent of weeks employed, while Black college graduates spent 80 percent 

of weeks employed. (See chart 2.)

The employment gap between Hispanic or Latino and Black individuals is also more pronounced 

at lower levels of educational attainment. Hispanic or Latino dropouts spent 60 percent of weeks 

employed from ages 18 through 34, while Black dropouts spent 39 percent of weeks employed 

during these ages. Hispanic or Latino and Black college graduates spent a similar percentage of

weeks employed (81 percent compared with 80 percent). (See chart 2.)

Individuals spent 70 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 23, 78 percent of weeks 

employed from ages 24 to 29, and 79 percent of weeks employed from ages 30 to 34. Men spent 

71 percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 23; this increased to 82 percent of weeks from

ages 24 to 29 and then increased slightly to 84 percent from ages 30 to 34. Women spent 69 

percent of weeks employed from ages 18 to 23; this increased to 74 percent of weeks from ages 

24 to 29 and remained elevated, at 73 percent, from ages 30 to 34. Men were employed a higher 

percentage of weeks than women within all age brackets. (See table 4.)

As these individuals aged, they generally spent less time out of the labor force. Men spent 22 

percent of weeks not in the labor force from 18 to 23 years of age, and 11 percent of weeks out 

of the labor force from ages 24 to 29 and ages 30 to 34. Women spent 26 percent of weeks out of 

the labor force from ages 18 to 23, and 20 percent and 23 percent of weeks out of the labor force

at ages 24 to 29 and ages 30 to 34, respectively. At ages 30 to 34, women were about twice as 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Less than a high school

diploma

High school graduates, no

college

Some college or associate

degree

Bachelor's degree and

higher

Percent of weeks

Chart 2. Percent of weeks employed from age 18 to age 34 in 

1998-2019, by educational attainment, race, and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

White non-Hispanic Black non-Hispanic Hispanic or Latino
-6- 

likely as men to not be in the labor force. (See chart 3.) 

Employment gaps between racial and ethnic groups also existed within each age bracket

analyzed. Within each age bracket, White workers were employed a higher percentage of weeks 

than both Black and Hispanic or Latino workers, and Hispanic or Latino workers were employed 

a higher percentage of weeks than Black workers.

Educational Attainment at Age 35 

 

At 35 years of age, 34 percent of individuals had received a bachelor's degree and higher while

37 percent had attended some college or received an associate degree without earning a 

bachelor's degree and higher. Twenty-three percent had a high school diploma or General 

Education Development (GED) credential and no further schooling. (See table 5.)

Women were more likely than men to have received a bachelor's degree and higher by age 25, 

and this gap continued to be seen at age 35. Twenty-one percent of men had earned a bachelor's 

degree and higher by age 25, compared with 29 percent of women. By 35 years of age, 29 

percent of men had earned a bachelor's degree and higher compared to 39 percent of women. In 

this age group, 66 percent of men had either attended some college or received a bachelor's 

degree, compared with 76 percent of women. In addition to being more likely to attend college, 

women were more likely to have finished their college degree. Of the 76 percent of women who 

started college, 51 percent had received a bachelor's degree and higher by age 35. In comparison, 

of the 66 percent of men who started college, 44 percent had received a bachelor's degree and 

higher. 

At age 35, there were large differences in educational attainment among racial and ethnic groups. 

Black and Hispanic or Latino individuals were more likely than White individuals to have 

dropped out of high school. In comparison, White individuals were more likely to have ever 

attended college (73 percent of White individuals, compared to 64 percent of Black individuals 

and 62 percent of Hispanic or Latino individuals) and nearly twice as likely to have received a

bachelor's degree and higher by this age. Thirty-eight percent of White individuals had received a 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Age 18 to 23 Age 24 to 29 Age 30 to 34

Percent of weeks

Chart 3. Percent of weeks not in the labor force from age 18 to 

age 34 in 1998-2019, by sex and age

Men Women
-7- 

bachelor's degree and higher at age 35, compared with 21 percent of both Black and Hispanic or 

Latino individuals. 

Within each racial and ethnic group examined at age 35, women were more likely to have a 

bachelor's degree and higher than men. White women were more likely than White men to have 

received a bachelor's degree and higher (43 percent compared with 34 percent), Black women 

were more likely than Black men (27 percent compared with 16 percent), and Hispanic or Latino 

women were more likely than Hispanic or Latino men (24 percent compared with 18 percent) to 

have received a bachelor's degree and higher. 

Partner Status and Employment Experiences

At 25 years of age, 27 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were married, 20 percent were

cohabiting (unmarried and living with a partner), and 53 percent were single (not married and not 

living with a partner). Comparatively, at 35 years of age, 53 percent were married, 17 percent 

were cohabiting, and 31 percent were single. (See table 6.) 
-8- 

At age 35, those with higher levels of education were more likely to be married and less likely to

be cohabiting than those with lower levels of education. At the time of their 35th birthday, 37 

percent of high school dropouts, 43 percent of high school graduates with no college, 50 percent

of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 65 percent of college graduates were

married. Twenty-five percent of those with less than a high school diploma were cohabiting, 

compared with only 11 percent of those with a bachelor's degree and higher. (See chart 4.) 

Partner status varied greatly by race and ethnicity. Black individuals were more likely to be 

single than either White or Hispanic or Latino individuals. At 35 years of age, 53 percent of 

Black individuals were single, compared with 25 percent of White individuals and 33 percent of

Hispanic or Latino individuals. Black individuals were significantly less likely to be married than 

either White individuals or Hispanic or Latino individuals (33 percent compared with 59 percent 

and 47 percent, respectively).

At both ages 25 and 35, women were more likely to be married and less likely to be single than

men. By their 35th birthday, 55 percent of women were married, 30 percent were single, and 15 

percent were cohabiting, while 50 percent of men were married, 32 percent were single, and 18 

percent were cohabiting. 

Compared with individuals who were single at age 35, those who were married worked more 

weeks from ages 18 to 34, spent fewer weeks unemployed, and spent fewer weeks not in the 

labor force. From ages 18 to 34, single individuals spent 71 percent of weeks employed, 8 

percent of weeks unemployed, and 22 percent of weeks not in the labor force, while those who 

were married spent 78 percent of weeks employed, 4 percent of weeks unemployed, and 18 

percent of weeks not in the labor force. Cohabiting individuals spent 75 percent of weeks 

employed, 7 percent of weeks unemployed, and 18 percent of weeks not in the labor force. (See 

table 7.)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Less than a high school diploma

High school graduates, no college

Some college or associate degree

Bachelor's degree and higher

Less than a high school diploma

High school graduates, no college

Some college or associate degree

Bachelor's degree and higher

Age 25

(2005-2009)

Age 35

(2015-2019)

Chart 4. Marital status at age 25 and age 35 by educational 

attainment

Single Married Cohabiting
-9- 

Men accounted for most of the variation in employment experiences by partner status. Men 

married at age 35 worked more weeks, were unemployed fewer weeks, and were less likely to be 

not in the labor force than either single or cohabiting men during ages 18-34. Men married at 35 

spent 84 percent of weeks employed, compared with 71 percent for single men and 77 percent 

for cohabiting men. They spent 5 percent of weeks unemployed, compared with 9 percent for 

single men and 8 percent for cohabiting men. Married men spent 12 percent of weeks out of the 

labor force, compared with 20 percent for single men and 16 percent for cohabiting men. In 

contrast, there were limited differences in the employment experiences of women by partner 

status. Women who were married at age 35 were employed a slightly higher percentage of weeks 

than non-married women (73 percent compared with 70 percent for single women and 72 percent 

for cohabiting women) during ages 18-34 and were unemployed a lower percentage of weeks 

than either single or cohabiting women (4 percent compared with 7 percent and 6 percent, 

respectively). (See table 7 and chart 5.) 

Married individuals also spent a higher percentage of weeks employed than single individuals 

within racial and ethnic groups. The differences were 80 percent compared with 73 percent

among the White population, 72 percent compared with 64 percent among the Black population, 

and 77 percent compared with 73 percent among the Hispanic or Latino population. 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Hispanic or Latino

White non-Hispanic

Men

Hispanic or Latino

White non-Hispanic

Men

Hispanic or Latino

White non-Hispanic

Men

Single Married Cohabiting

Chart 5. Percent of total weeks individuals were employed, 

unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 

34 in 1998-2019

Employed Unemployed Not in labor foce
-10- 

Health Limits and Work

Individuals in this cohort report whether their health limits the kind or amount of work they can 

do; the percent of individuals reporting such limitations increased as they aged. At 25 years of 

age, 6 percent of Americans born during 1980-84 were limited in the kind or amount of work 

they can do; at 35 years of age, 9 percent were limited. (See table 8.) 

At ages 25 and 35, those with lower levels of education were generally more likely to be limited 

in the kind or amount of work they can do than those with higher levels of education. By their 

35th birthday, 23 percent of high school dropouts, 12 percent of high school graduates with no 

college, 9 percent of individuals with some college or an associate degree, and 4 percent of 

college graduates were limited in the kind or amount of work they can do. (See chart 6.)

Women were more likely than men to report that health limits the kind or amount of work they 

can do. At 25 years of age, 7 percent of women and 5 percent of men were limited in the kind or 

amount of work they can do; at 35 years of age, 11 percent of women and 7 percent of men were 

limited in the kind or amount of work they can do. 

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Less than a high school diploma

High school graduates, no college

Some college or associate degree

Bachelor's degree and higher

Hispanic or Latino

Black non-Hispanic

White non-Hispanic

Women

Men

Total

Chart 6. Percent of individuals whose health limited the kind or 

amount of work they performed by age and educational 

attainment

Age 35 Age 25
Technical Note

The estimates in this release were obtained using data

from the first 19 rounds of the National Longitudinal 

Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). This survey is

conducted by the Center for Human Resource

Research at The Ohio State University and the 

National Opinion Research Center at the University of 

Chicago under the direction and sponsorship of the

U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sample

The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 is a 

nationally representative sample of 8,984 young men 

and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31,

1996. This sample is composed of the following

groups:

• A cross-sectional sample designed to represent

the noninstitutionalized, civilian segment of

young people living in the U.S. in 1997 and born

between January 1, 1980, and December 31,

1984.

• Supplemental samples of Hispanic or Latino and

Black youths living in the U.S. in 1997 and born

between January 1, 1980, and December 31,

1984.

This sample size is not adjusted for sample members 

who have died.

Individuals were surveyed annually from 1997–2011

and bienniallysince2011.In the 2019-20 survey round, 

high response rates were maintained despite the 

potential adverse impacts that may have affected the 

behavior of respondents in the last several months of 

collection after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

6,947 individuals responded to the survey, for a

retention rate of 77 percent (representing a 79 percent

response rate among those sample members who are

still living). Only these individuals are included in the 

estimates in this release. This release examines the 

period from respondents' 18th birthday until their 35th

birthday. All results are weighted using the 2019-20 

survey weights that correct for the oversampling, 

interview nonresponse, and permanent attrition from 

the survey. Prior NLSY97 news releases used weights 

based on the survey round a respondent turned a 

particular age. When weighted, the data represent all 

people who were born in the years 1980 to 1984 and

living in the U.S. in 1997. Not represented by the

survey are U.S. immigrants who were born from 1980

to 1984 and moved to the U.S. after 1997. NLSY97 

sample members remain eligible to be interviewed

during military service or if they become incarcerated

or institutionalized.

Work history data

The total number of jobs that people hold during their

work life is an easy concept to understand but a 

difficult one to measure. Reliable estimates require a 

survey that interviews the same people over the course 

of their entire work life and keeps track of all the jobs

they ever held. The NLSY97 tracks the number of jobs

that people have held, but the respondents in this

survey have many years of work life ahead of them. 

As the cohort continues to age, however, more 

complete information will become available.

A unique feature of the NLSY97 is that it collects the

beginning and ending dates of all jobs held by a

respondent so that a longitudinal history can be 

constructed of each respondent's work experiences.

The NLSY97 work history data provide a week-byweek work record of each respondent from January 1, 

1994, through the most recent survey date. These data

contain information on the respondent's labor force

status each week, the usual hours worked per week at

all jobs, and earnings for all jobs. If a respondent

worked at more than one job in any week, hours and

earnings are obtained for additional jobs. When a 

respondent who missed one or more consecutive 

survey rounds is interviewed again, he or she is asked

to provide information about all time since the last 

interview. 

Interaction between time and age in a longitudinal 

survey

Because the NLSY97 is a longitudinal survey, 

meaning the same people are surveyed over time, the 

ages of the respondents change with each survey

round. It is important to keep in mind thisinherent link

between the calendar years and the ages of the 

respondents. The youngest respondents in the sample

(birth year 1984) turned 35 during calendar year 2019, 

whereas the oldest respondents (birth year 1980) 

turned 35 during calendar year 2015. Some

respondents may not be used in all tablesif information 

about their work history is incomplete.

As with age, the education attainment of individuals

may change from year to year. Educational attainment 

is taken at the time of the respondents' 35th birthday. 

If a respondent had not earned a high school diploma

or General Educational Development (GED) 

credential, he or she is counted as a high school

dropout. Individuals with an associate degree or any
enrollment in college after high school are counted as

having some college.

Definitions

Job. A job is defined as a period of work with a 

particular employer. Jobs are therefore employerbased, not position- based. If a respondent indicates 

that he or she left a job but in a subsequent survey 

returned to the same job, it would not be counted as a 

new job. For self- employed workers, each “new” job 

is defined by the individuals themselves.

Employed. The NLSY97 collects employment

histories for civilian jobs and military service. 

Respondents are classified as employed if they did any

work during the specified time period as paid 

employees, as self-employed proprietors of their own 

businesses, as unpaid workers in a business owned by

a member of their family, or if they were serving in the

Armed Forces.

Unemployed. Respondents are classified as

unemployed if they did not work during the specified

time period but reported that they looked for work or

were on layoff from a job. No probing for intensity of

job search is done.

Not in the labor force. Respondents are classified as 

not in the labor force if they did not work or look for 

work during the specified time period.

Partner Status. Partner status is determined during the

month the individual turned 35. Respondents who are 

married but not living with their spouses are counted

as married. To be marked as cohabitating, the 

respondent must be living with an individual of either 

gender for at least one month in a sexual relationship. 

Living with roommates or parents would not affect

partner status. Respondents who are not married and

not cohabitating are counted as single.

Race and ethnic groups. In this release, the findings 

are reported for non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic 

Blacks, and Hispanics or Latinos. These groups are

mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other groups, 

which are included in the overall totals, are not shown

separately because their representation in the survey 

sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically

reliable estimates. In other BLS publications,

estimates usually are published for White individuals,

Black individuals, and Hispanic or Latino individuals,

but these groups are not mutually exclusive. The term

Hispanic or Latino is considered to be an ethnicity 

group, and Hispanic or Latino individuals can be of

any race. Most other BLS publications include

estimates for Hispanic or Latino individuals in the 

White and Black race groups in addition to the

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity group.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech 

disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access 

telecommunications relay services.
Total 2 Ages 18 

to 23

Ages 24

to 29

Ages 30

to 34

Total, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019........................ 8.6 5.1 3.3 2.1

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 7.8 4.4 2.9 1.8

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.9 4.7 3.0 1.9

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 9.0 5.3 3.3 2.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.8 5.2 3.4 2.2

Men ...................................................................... 8.5 5.0 3.3 2.2

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 8.5 5.0 3.2 2.0

 High school graduates, no college 3

 ..................... 8.2 4.9 3.2 2.0

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 8.9 5.2 3.3 2.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4

 ........................... 8.3 4.8 3.3 2.2

Women .................................................................. 8.7 5.2 3.2 2.1

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 6.8 3.7 2.6 1.5

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.3 4.5 2.8 1.7

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 9.1 5.5 3.3 2.2

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 9.1 5.6 3.5 2.2

White, non-Hispanic................................................ 8.8 5.3 3.3 2.1

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 8.7 5.1 3.1 2.0

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.9 4.9 3.0 1.9

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 9.2 5.5 3.3 2.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.9 5.4 3.5 2.2

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................... 8.4 4.7 3.2 2.2

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 5.8 3.2 2.3 1.4

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.8 4.5 3.0 1.8

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 9.2 5.1 3.5 2.4

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.7 4.9 3.4 2.4

Hispanic or Latino................................................ 7.9 4.6 3.1 2.0

 Less than a high school diploma ........................ 7.7 4.2 3.0 1.9

 High school graduates, no college 3 ..................... 7.6 4.4 3.0 1.9

 Some college or associate degree ...................... 8.0 4.8 3.0 2.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 4 ........................... 8.2 4.7 3.3 2.2

 4 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 35 when interviewed in 2019-20. The National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 

1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, 

which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is 

not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined during the 

month of the respondent's 35th birthday.

Table 1. Number of jobs held by individuals from age 18 through age 34 in 1998-2019 by educational 

attainment, sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and age

Characteristic

Average number of jobs for persons ages 18 to 34 in 1998-20191

 1 Time span includes up to the month before the respondent's 35th birthday.

 2 Jobs that were held in more than one of the age categories were counted in each appropriate column, but only 

once in the total column.

 3 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.
Less than 1 

year

Less than 2 

years

Less than 3 

years

Less than 6 

years 

Less than 

13 years

Total, ages 18 to 24 in 1998-2009................ 61.1 78.9 86.7 94.5 96.0 4.0

Men ........................................................... 60.8 78.1 86.0 93.7 95.2 4.8

Women ..................................................... 61.4 79.6 87.5 95.4 96.8 3.2

White, non-Hispanic ................................. 60.3 78.0 86.1 94.2 95.9 4.1

Black, non-Hispanic ................................... 67.0 83.6 89.9 96.1 96.9 3.1

Hispanic or Latino ..................................... 58.6 77.3 85.5 94.0 95.3 4.7

Less than a high school diploma ............... 69.8 84.1 89.4 94.7 97.0 3.0

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 59.7 76.3 83.9 92.8 95.4 4.6

Some college or associate degree ............ 62.1 79.6 87.1 95.1 96.0 4.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 59.5 79.0 87.9 95.0 96.1 3.9

Total, ages 25 to 34 in 2005-2019................ 35.1 51.5 60.3 70.7 75.0 25.0

Men ........................................................... 33.8 49.7 58.6 69.4 73.5 26.5

Women ..................................................... 36.3 53.3 62.0 72.0 76.6 23.4

White, non-Hispanic ................................. 34.0 50.3 59.0 69.4 74.0 26.0

Black, non-Hispanic ................................... 38.9 55.6 65.1 75.2 78.1 21.9

Hispanic or Latino ..................................... 35.3 51.8 61.2 72.0 76.6 23.4

Less than a high school diploma ............... 48.9 65.8 73.3 80.6 83.9 16.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 37.5 53.5 62.2 72.1 76.5 23.5

Some college or associate degree ............ 37.8 55.2 63.8 73.5 77.2 22.8

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 28.1 43.6 52.9 65.0 70.3 29.7

 1 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) 

credential.

 2 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 35 when interviewed in 2019-20. The 

National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on 

December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. 

Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation 

in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is 

determined during the month of the respondent's 35th birthday.

Characteristic

Table 2. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for individuals who started jobs from 

age 18 through age 34 in 1998-2019 by age at start of job, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity

Cumulative percent distribution of duration

 of completed employment relationships Percent 

of jobs 

ongoing 

in 2019 

survey
Total, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019 ........................ 75.3 5.8 18.9

Less than a high school diploma ......................... 53.1 11.3 35.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 70.8 7.9 21.3

Some college or associate degree .................... 76.2 6.1 17.7

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................ 81.5 2.9 15.6

Men ............................................................................. 78.7 6.4 15.0

Less than a high school diploma ....................... 64.3 12.4 23.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 75.9 8.6 15.5

Some college or associate degree .................... 80.5 6.2 13.3

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................ 82.2 3.0 14.7

Women ..................................... 71.8 5.1 23.0

Less than a high school diploma ....................... 39.4 9.9 50.7

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 63.0 6.8 30.2

Some college or associate degree .................... 71.8 6.0 22.2

Bachelor's degree and higher2 

............................ 80.9 2.8 16.3

White, non-Hispanic .............................................. 77.6 4.7 17.7

Less than a high school diploma ......................... 56.7 10.5 32.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 74.1 6.8 19.1

Some college or associate degree .................... 77.7 5.0 17.3

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................ 82.1 2.5 15.4

Black, non-Hispanic ................................................ 66.9 10.2 22.9

Less than a high school diploma ........................ 38.9 14.8 46.3

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 60.8 12.2 26.9

Some college or associate degree .................... 70.1 10.4 19.5

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................ 80.2 5.3 14.5

Hispanic or Latino ..................................................... 74.5 6.0 19.5

Less than a high school diploma ........................... 59.6 9.6 30.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ...................... 70.5 7.5 22.0

Some college or associate degree .................... 77.8 5.3 16.9

Bachelor's degree and higher2 ............................ 80.9 3.6 15.5

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 35 when interviewed in 2019-20. The 

National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on 

December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. 

Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their 

representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. 

Educational attainment is determined during the month of the respondent's 35th birthday.

Table 3. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 

through age 34 in 1998-2019 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019

Employed Unemployed Not in labor force

 1 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) 

credential.

 2 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
Total, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019..................................... 75.3 5.8 18.9

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 69.8 6.1 24.0

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014................................................. 78.1 6.3 15.6

 Ages 30 to 34 in 2010-2019 ............................................ 78.6 4.8 16.6

Men, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-20179.................................... 78.7 6.4 15.0

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 70.9 6.7 22.4

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014................................................. 82.0 7.0 11.0

 Ages 30 to 34 in 2010-2019 ............................................ 84.0 5.3 10.7

Women, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019................................. 71.8 5.1 23.0

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 68.7 5.5 25.8

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014................................................. 74.1 5.6 20.3

 Ages 30 to 34 in 2010-2019 ............................................ 72.9 4.4 22.7

White, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019 ........... 77.6 4.7 17.7

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 73.0 4.9 22.1

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014................................................. 80.2 5.2 14.6

 Ages 30 to 34 in 2010-2019 ............................................ 79.9 3.9 16.2

Black, non-Hispanic, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019.............. 66.9 10.2 22.9

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 58.7 10.9 30.4

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014................................................. 69.8 11.0 19.2

 Ages 30 to 34 in 2010-2019 ............................................ 73.2 8.7 18.1

Hispanic or Latino, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019 ............... 74.5 6.0 19.5

 Ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ............................................ 69.1 6.7 24.2

 Ages 24 to 29 in 2004-2014................................................. 77.5 6.5 16.0

 Ages 30 to 34 in 2010-2019 ............................................ 77.6 4.8 17.6

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 35 when interviewed in 2019-20. The National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 

1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, 

which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey 

sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. 

Table 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 

through age 34 in 1998-2019 by age, educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Age and characteristic

Percent of total weeks 

Employed Unemployed Not in Labor Force
Total

High 

school 

diploma

General 

Educational 

Development 

(GED) 

recipients

Total Some 

college

Bachelor's 

degree and 

higher 1

Total, age 25 in 2005-2009 ............ 8.9 27.5 20.1 7.5 63.6 38.7 24.9

White, non-Hispanic ..................... 7.0 26.6 19.8 6.8 66.4 36.9 29.5

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 13.9 31.5 20.3 11.2 54.6 42.1 12.5

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 13.4 31.6 23.9 7.6 55.1 43.3 11.7

Men ................................................... 9.5 31.5 22.6 8.9 59.0 38.1 20.9

White, non-Hispanic ..................... 7.5 30.1 22.5 7.6 62.4 36.9 25.6

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 15.7 38.0 23.0 15.0 46.3 38.0 8.3

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 13.6 35.1 25.9 9.2 51.4 41.9 9.5

Women ............................................ 8.2 23.4 17.4 6.0 68.4 39.2 29.2

White, non-Hispanic ..................... 6.5 23.0 17.1 5.9 70.5 36.9 33.6

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 11.9 24.7 17.4 7.3 63.4 46.5 16.9

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 13.2 27.5 21.7 5.8 59.3 45.0 14.3

Total, age 35 in 2015-2019 .......... 6.1 23.4 15.7 7.7 70.6 36.8 33.8

White, non-Hispanic ..................... 5.0 22.1 15.8 6.3 72.9 34.6 38.3

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 9.1 27.3 15.5 11.9 63.7 42.7 21.0

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 9.9 28.5 19.0 9.4 61.6 40.9 20.8

Men ................................................... 6.1 27.8 18.0 9.7 65.8 36.6 29.2

White, non-Hispanic ..................... 5.4 26.0 18.3 7.6 68.6 35.1 33.6

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 10.2 35.0 18.3 16.7 54.9 39.4 15.6

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 9.8 31.9 20.3 11.6 58.4 40.5 17.9

Women ............................................ 5.6 18.7 13.2 5.5 75.7 37.0 38.7

White, non-Hispanic ..................... 4.5 18.1 13.1 5.0 77.3 34.0 43.3

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 7.9 19.4 12.5 6.9 72.7 46.1 26.6

Hispanic or Latino ........................ 10.1 24.5 17.6 7.0 65.4 41.3 24.1

 NOTE: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 

on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other 

race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the 

survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment is determined 

during the month of the respondent's 25th or 35th birthday.

 1 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

Table 5. Educational attainment of individuals at ages 25 and 35 in 2005-2019 by sex, race, and Hispanic or 

Latino ethnicity 

 Characteristic

Highest Grade Completed

High 

school 

dropouts

High School Graduates College
Total ................................................................. 52.7 26.9 20.4 30.9 52.5 16.7

Less than a high school diploma .................. 47.4 24.5 28.1 38.2 36.8 25.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 47.4 28.6 24.0 34.4 42.9 22.7

Some college or associate degree ............... 52.1 28.8 19.0 33.7 50.0 16.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 61.1 22.9 16.0 24.1 64.5 11.3

Men ................................................................ 59.7 21.9 18.4 32.0 50.0 18.0

Less than a high school diploma .................. 54.1 19.9 25.9 39.7 39.2 21.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 54.2 23.1 22.6 35.9 39.2 24.9

Some college or associate degree ............... 60.1 23.3 16.6 34.5 48.0 17.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ........................ 69.6 18.4 12.1 23.5 65.3 11.2

Women .......................................................... 45.3 32.2 22.5 29.7 55.0 15.3

Less than a high school diploma .................. 39.2 30.0 30.8 36.3 33.9 29.8

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 37.8 36.4 25.9 32.1 48.6 19.3

Some college or associate degree ............... 44.0 34.5 21.5 32.8 52.2 15.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 54.7 26.4 18.9 24.6 64.0 11.5

White, non-Hispanic ....................................... 49.0 30.2 20.8 24.7 58.5 16.8

Less than a high school diploma .................. 39.9 33.0 27.2 34.1 39.1 26.8

High school graduates, no college 1 

................ 42.4 32.6 25.1 27.2 49.0 23.8

Some college or associate degree ............... 47.9 32.3 19.8 27.8 55.5 16.7

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 58.5 24.8 16.7 19.3 69.2 11.5

Black, non-Hispanic ........................................ 68.2 13.5 18.3 53.4 32.6 14.1

Less than a high school diploma .................. 71.0 6.8 22.2 54.2 27.5 18.3

High school graduates, no college 1 

................ 66.9 11.9 21.2 57.3 24.9 17.8

Some college or associate degree ............... 66.7 16.3 17.0 52.6 34.3 13.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 73.1 15.5 11.4 49.4 41.2 9.4

Hispanic or Latino ........................................... 49.3 29.4 21.3 33.2 47.2 19.6

Less than a high school diploma .................. 37.4 24.6 38.0 31.3 41.0 27.6

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 46.1 32.9 21.1 35.2 43.0 21.8

Some college or associate degree ............... 51.7 29.6 18.7 34.4 46.3 19.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ........................ 62.8 24.9 12.3 28.9 57.7 13.4

Cohabiting

 1 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential.

 2 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 35 when interviewed in 2019-20. The National 

Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 

1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race groups, 

which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample 

is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment and partner status are 

determined during the month of the respondent's 25th or 35th birthday.

Table 6. Partner status at age 25 and age 35 by educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of individuals

 Age 25 in 2005-2009 Age 35 in 2015-2019

Single Married Cohabiting Single Married
Characteristic

Total, ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019................. 70.5 8.1 21.5 78.4 4.1 17.5 74.8 6.8 18.4

Less than a high school diploma ................ 46.5 12.9 40.6 60.0 9.9 30.1 52.9 10.9 36.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 65.5 10.1 24.4 74.4 6.1 19.5 72.2 8.1 19.7

Some college or associate degree ............. 71.9 8.3 19.8 78.6 4.5 16.9 77.6 6.5 15.9

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 80.0 4.3 15.7 81.9 2.2 15.9 82.5 3.9 13.6

Men .............................................................. 71.3 8.6 20.1 84.0 4.5 11.5 77.0 7.5 15.5

Less than a high school diploma ................ 56.6 14.4 29.1 72.8 11.2 16.0 63.1 11.2 25.7

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 67.4 10.6 22.0 83.8 6.9 9.3 75.7 8.5 15.8

Some college or associate degree ............. 73.7 8.1 18.2 85.6 4.5 9.9 79.6 7.1 13.3

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 78.0 4.5 17.5 84.1 2.2 13.7 80.4 4.8 14.8

Women ......................................................... 69.5 7.4 23.1 73.1 3.7 23.3 72.0 5.9 22.1

Less than a high school diploma ................ 33.1 10.9 56.0 42.0 8.0 50.0 44.1 10.7 45.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 62.1 9.2 28.7 62.7 5.1 32.3 65.2 7.2 27.6

Some college or associate degree ............. 69.8 8.5 21.6 72.0 4.5 23.6 75.2 5.8 19.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 81.5 4.2 14.3 80.1 2.2 17.7 84.1 3.2 12.7

White, non-Hispanic ..................................... 73.0 6.6 20.4 79.6 3.5 17.0 77.3 6.1 16.6

Less than a high school diploma ................ 50.7 11.4 37.9 63.1 9.2 27.7 54.9 11.3 33.7

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 70.3 8.6 21.2 75.6 5.4 19.0 75.4 7.5 17.1

Some college or associate degree ............. 72.3 6.9 20.8 79.9 3.8 16.3 79.6 5.7 14.7

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 81.2 3.6 15.2 82.2 2.0 15.8 83.3 3.3 13.5

Black, non-Hispanic ...................................... 64.0 11.3 24.8 72.2 8.4 19.4 65.5 10.5 24.0

Less than a high school diploma ................ 35.7 15.1 49.2 43.7 14.7 41.5 40.9 14.2 44.9

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 56.2 13.1 30.7 68.7 11.3 20.0 64.6 10.8 24.6

Some college or associate degree ............. 69.3 11.3 19.5 72.1 9.0 19.0 68.4 10.7 20.9

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 77.6 6.6 15.8 83.2 3.5 13.2 80.2 6.2 13.6

Hispanic or Latino ......................................... 73.0 7.8 19.2 76.8 4.3 18.9 71.8 7.0 21.2

Less than a high school diploma ................ 56.5 13.3 30.2 62.9 8.4 28.7 58.1 7.4 34.5

High school graduates, no college 1 ............. 67.4 9.3 23.3 73.2 5.8 21.0 70.2 8.0 21.8

Some college or associate degree ............. 77.5 6.6 15.9 79.0 3.9 17.2 75.4 6.5 18.1

Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ...................... 80.3 5.2 14.5 81.7 2.3 16.1 78.7 5.8 15.5

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 35 when interviewed in 2019-20. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young 

men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not exhaustive. Other race 

groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide 

statistically reliable estimates. Educational attainment and partner status are determined during the month of the respondent's 35th birthday.

Not in labor 

force Employed Unemployed Not in labor force Employed Unemployed Not in labor force Employed Unemployed

 1 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential. 2 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.

Table 7. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 34 in 1998-2019 by partner status, educational 

attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 34 in 1998-2019

Single Married Cohabiting
Age 25 (in 2007-2010) 3 Age 35 (in 2014-2020) 

Total......................................................................... 6.1 9.0

 Less than a high school diploma ........................... 13.8 23.0

 High school graduates, no college 1 ......................... 8.9 12.3

 Some college or associate degree ........................ 5.5 9.4

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 

................................. 3.5 3.9

Men ......................................................................... 5.3 7.4

 Less than a high school diploma ........................... 7.2 14.9

 High school graduates, no college 1 ......................... 7.4 10.8

 Some college or associate degree ........................ 4.8 7.5

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................................. 3.5 2.7

Women .................................................................... 7.0 10.6

 Less than a high school diploma ........................... 21.4 32.5

 High school graduates, no college 1 ......................... 11.4 14.6

 Some college or associate degree ........................ 6.2 11.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................................. 3.6 4.9

White non-Hispanic ................................................ 6.1 9.1

 Less than a high school diploma ........................... 14.3 24.2

 High school graduates, no college 1 ......................... 8.4 12.7

 Some college or associate degree ........................ 6.2 10.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................................. 3.6 4.4

Black non-Hispanic .................................................. 6.1 9.9

 Less than a high school diploma ........................... 17.4 24.2

 High school graduates, no college 1 ......................... 8.6 11.8

 Some college or associate degree ........................ 4.1 9.4

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................................. 2.8 2.4

Hispanic or Latino ................................................... 5.9 7.8

 Less than a high school diploma ........................... 9.1 17.7

 High school graduates, no college 1 ......................... 11.3 11.4

 Some college or associate degree ........................ 3.1 6.0

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2 ................................. 2.2 2.3

NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 35 when interviewed in 2019-20. The 

National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 consists of young men and women who were ages 12 to 16 on 

December 31, 1996. Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive but not 

exhaustive. Other race groups, which are included in the overall totals, are not shown separately because 

their representation in the survey sample is not sufficiently large to provide statistically reliable estimates. 

Educational attainment is determined during the month of the respondent's 35th birthday. Health limit is 

determined for the interview date in which the respondent first turned age 25 or age 35. If not 

interviewed at that age, then health limit is determined using data from the prior age.

 3 In 2007, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 began asking respondents whether health limits 

the kind or amount of work they can do.

Table 8. Percent of individuals whose health limits the kind or amount of work they can do by age, 

educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Percent of individuals

 2 Includes individuals with bachelor's, master's, professional, or doctoral degrees.

 1 Includes individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) 

credential.