For release 10:00 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, March 26, 2014 USDL-14-0491 

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

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

AMERICA'S YOUNG ADULTS AT 27: LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY, EDUCATION, AND 

HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION: RESULTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY

Young adults born in the early 1980s held an average of 6.2 jobs from age 18 through age 26, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over two-thirds of these jobs were held from ages 18 to 22. 

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 young 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 26 to 32 when interviewed for 

the 15th time in 2011-12. The survey provides information on work and nonwork experiences, training, 

schooling, income, assets, 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 release focuses on the educational attainment, employment experiences, and household 

composition of these individuals from their 18th birthday until they turned 27. Highlights from the 

longitudinal survey include: 

 By 27 years of age, 32 percent of women had received a bachelor's degree, compared with 24 

percent of men. Nine percent of men were high school dropouts compared to 8 percent of 

women. (See table 1.) 

 Individuals born from 1980 to 1984 held an average of 6.2 jobs from ages 18 to 26. The number 

of jobs held varies by education for women but not for men. (See table 2.)

 High school graduates who had never enrolled in college were employed an average of 68 

percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 22, and 74 percent of weeks from ages 23 to 26. In 

comparison, those who had dropped out of high school were employed 51 percent of weeks from 

ages 18 to 22, and 57 percent of weeks from ages 23 to 26. (See table 3.) 

 Over two-thirds of the jobs held by high school dropouts from age 18 to 26 were held less than a 

year and 10 percent were held 2 years or more. For those with a bachelor's degree or more, 

approximately 50 percent of jobs were held less than a year and 14 percent held 2 years or more. 

(See table 4.) 
- 2 - 

 Thirty-four percent of young adults were married at age 27, while 20 percent were cohabiting 

and 47 percent were single. On average, young adults with more education were more likely to 

be married and less likely to be cohabiting. (See table 5.) 

 Young adults who were single at age 27 were employed 70 percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 

26, compared to 77 percent of weeks for those who were married and 72 percent of weeks, for 

those who were cohabiting. (See table 6.) 

 Nearly 41 percent of young adults had their own or their partner's child in the household at age 

27. Sixty-five percent of married individuals had at least one child in the home, compared with 

21 percent of single individuals and 48 percent of those who were cohabiting. (See table 7.) 

 Women with children in their household at age 27 were employed 65 percent of weeks from age 

18 to 26 compared to 76 percent of weeks for women without children in their home. 

Conversely, men tended to work more weeks if they had children in the household than if they 

did not (79 percent of weeks versus 73 percent). (See table 8.) 

Educational Attainment at age 27 

At 27 years of age, 28 percent of individuals had received their bachelor's degree while 38 percent had 

attended some college or received an associate's degree. Eighteen percent of 27 year-olds had a high 

school diploma and no further schooling, and 7 percent had earned a General Educational Development 

(GED) credential and no further schooling. (See table 1.) 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Men Women

Number of Jobs

Chart 1.  Number of jobs held between ages 18 and 26 by sex and

educational attainment

  Less than a high school diploma   High school graduates, no college.

  Some college or associate degree   Bachelor's degree and higher
- 3 - 

Women were more likely than men to have received a bachelor's degree. Thirty-two percent of women 

had earned a bachelor's degree, compared with 24 percent of men. In total, 70 percent of women had 

either attended some college or received a bachelor's degree, compared to 61 percent of men. In addition 

to being more likely to attend college, women were more likely to have finished their college degree. Of 

the 70 percent of women who started college, 46 percent completed their bachelor's degree by age 27. In 

comparison, of the 61 percent of men who started college, 39 percent had completed their bachelor's 

degree. 

At age 27, there was a large difference in educational attainment among racial and ethnic groups. NonHispanic blacks and Hispanics were more likely than whites not to have obtained a high school diploma. 

In comparison, whites were more than twice as likely as blacks or Hispanics to have received their 

bachelor's degree by this age. Thirty-three percent of whites had received their bachelor's degree at age 

27, compared with 15 percent of blacks or Hispanics. Among those who had attended college, whites 

were more likely than blacks or Hispanics to have received a bachelor's degree. Just over one-quarter of 

blacks and Hispanics who had attended college had received a bachelor's degree by age 27, compared to 

nearly one-half of whites. 

Employment Attachment of Young Adults from age 18 through age 26 

Individuals had an average of 6.2 jobs from the ages of 18 through 26 in 1998-2011. On average, men 

held 6.0 jobs and women held 6.3 jobs. (See table 2.) In this news release, 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.)

On average, young adults were employed during 73 percent of all the weeks occurring from age 18 

through age 26. They were unemployed—that is, without jobs but seeking work—6 percent of the 

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

No Children With Children No Children With Children

Percent

Chart 2.  Percent of weeks employed, unemployed and not in the labor force

between the ages 18 and 26 by sex and presence of children

Employed Unemployed Not in labor force

Men Women
- 4 - 

weeks. They were not in the labor force—that is, neither working nor seeking work—21 percent of the 

weeks. 

Overall, men at these ages spent more time employed and less time out of the labor force than women, 

but this varied greatly by education. Men with less than a high school diploma spent 62 percent of weeks 

employed from ages 18 to 26. In comparison, women with less than a high school diploma spent 43 

percent of weeks employed. Women without a high school diploma spent 47 percent of weeks from ages 

18 to 26 out of the labor force, more weeks than they did employed. Women with a bachelor's degree or 

more education spent a larger proportion of weeks employed than did similarly educated men (77 

percent versus 71 percent) and less time out of the labor force (20 percent versus 26 percent). 

The amount of time employed also differed between educational-attainment groups by race, especially 

among blacks. From ages 18 to 26, blacks with less than a high school diploma were employed 39 

percent of all weeks. In comparison, black high school graduates who had never enrolled in college were 

employed 59 percent of weeks, and blacks with a bachelor's degree or more education were employed 

71 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 26. 

Examining these data by smaller age ranges reveals that despite being in the labor force a greater 

percentage of weeks, individuals held fewer jobs from ages 23 to 26 than they did from ages 18 to 22. 

While ages 18 to 22, individuals held an average of 4.3 jobs and were out of the labor force 26 percent 

of weeks. From ages 23 to 26, individuals held 2.7 jobs while being out of the labor force 16 percent of 

weeks. This pattern was similar for all gender, racial, and ethnic groups at all levels of educational 

attainment. (See table 3.) 

Employment differences by education began early in workers' careers. From ages 18 to 22, high school 

dropouts were employed 51 percent of weeks, and out of the labor force 36 percent of weeks. In 

comparison, high school graduates worked 68 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 22, and were out of the 

labor force for 23 percent of weeks. This pattern persisted at later ages. From ages 23 to 26, high school 

dropouts worked 57 percent of weeks and were out of the labor force for 32 percent of weeks, compared 

to high school graduates, who worked 74 percent of weeks and were out of the labor force 19 percent of 

weeks. The labor force participation of college graduates underwent the greatest change. For college 

graduates, the percent of weeks worked rose from 66 percent at ages 18 to 22, to 85 percent at ages 23 to 

26. These individuals spent 31 percent of weeks out of the labor force from ages 18 to 22, but only 12 

percent of weeks out of the labor force from ages 23 to 26, less than all other educational attainment 

categories. 

The racial employment gap was more pronounced at lower levels of educational attainment. From ages 

23 to 26, white dropouts spent 59 percent of weeks employed and 29 percent of weeks out of the labor 

force, while black dropouts spent 44 percent of weeks employed and 42 percent of weeks out of the 

labor force. This difference is much smaller among those who held a bachelor's degree. At the same 

ages, white college graduates spent 11 percent of weeks out of the labor force and 86 percent of weeks 

employed and black college graduates spent 11 percent of weeks out of the labor force and 84 percent of 

weeks employed. 

Duration of Employment Relationships 

By their 27th birthday, nearly all young adults had held at least one job since age 18. Most jobs held 

through age 26 were of relatively short duration. Of the jobs held by 18- to 26-year-old workers, 57 

percent ended in 1 year or less, and another 14 percent ended in less than 2 years. Thirteen percent of 
- 5 - 

jobs lasted 2 years or more. Another 16 percent of jobs were ongoing at the time of the 2011-12 survey, 

and their ultimate duration is therefore not yet known. (See table 4.) 

Jobs held by high school dropouts were more likely to end in 1 year or less than were jobs held by 

workers with more education. In particular, of the jobs held by female high school dropouts, 70 percent 

ended in 1 year or less, while 9 percent lasted 2 years or more. Nearly 7 percent of female high school 

dropouts had never held a job since age 18. 

Partner Status and Employment Attachment 

At 27 years of age, 34 percent of young adults were married, 20 percent were unmarried and living with 

a partner, and 47 percent were single, that is, not married or living with a partner. Young adults with 

more education were less likely to be cohabiting and more likely to be married than those with less 

education. Twenty-eight percent of high school dropouts were cohabiting and 27 percent were married, 

while 15 percent of college graduates were cohabiting and 37 percent were married. (See table 5.) 

Partner status varied greatly by race and ethnicity. While 41 percent of whites were single and 39 

percent were married, 68 percent of blacks were single and 15 percent were married. 

Partner status at age 27 had a strong association with employment between the ages of 18 and 26. 

Compared to young adults who were single at 27, young adults who were married worked more weeks 

from ages 18 to 26, and spent fewer weeks unemployed or not in the labor force. Single young adults 

spent 70 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 26 employed, 7 percent of weeks unemployed, and 23 percent 

of weeks out of the labor force, while those who were married spent 77 percent of weeks employed, 5 

percent of weeks unemployed, and 19 percent of weeks not in the labor force. This trend held true for all 

educational attainment levels. (See table 6.) 

Married men worked more weeks than either single or cohabiting men and were more likely to be in the 

labor force. Married men spent 82 percent of the weeks between 18 and 26 employed, compared to 70 

percent for single men and 75 percent for cohabiting men. Married men also spent 5 percent of weeks 

unemployed and 13 percent of weeks not in the labor force, compared to single men, who spent 8 

percent of weeks unemployed and 22 percent of weeks not in the labor force. Cohabiting men spent 8 

percent of weeks unemployed and 18 percent of weeks not in the labor force. 

There were limited differences in the labor force attachment of women by partner status with no 

difference between single and cohabiting women, and little difference between married and single 

women. 

Children and Employment Attachment 

Approximately 41 percent of young adults had their own or a partner's child living in the household at 

age 27, although this varied greatly by sex; 52 percent of women had a child in the home compared to 

29 percent of men. The likelihood of having a child in the home also varied by partner status and 

educational attainment. Young adults who were married at 27 were the most likely to have their own or 

partner's child in the home; 65 percent, compared to 21 percent of single young adults and 48 percent of 

cohabiting young adults. Single men were the least likely to have a child in their home; only 5 percent of 

single men compared to 41 percent of single women. (See table 7.) 
- 6 - 

Men who were living with their own or a partner's child when age 27 worked more weeks between the 

ages of 18 and 26 than other men. Compared to young men without children in their home, young men 

with children in the home worked more weeks (79 percent of weeks versus 73 percent) and were less 

likely to not be in the labor force (14 percent versus 21 percent). The opposite was true for women. 

Women with their own or partner's children in the home were employed fewer weeks than those without 

children in the home, 65 percent of weeks compared to 76 percent of weeks. Women with their own or 

partner's children were more likely to not be in the labor force from age 18 to 26 compared to women of 

the same age without children in the home (28 percent of weeks versus 19 percent of weeks). 

(See table 8.) 
Technical Note 

The estimates in this release were obtained using data 

from the first 15 rounds of the National Longitudinal Survey 

of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). The NLSY97 collects extensive 

information on labor market behavior and educational 

experiences. Information about respondents’ families and 

communities also is obtained in the survey. 

This survey is conducted by the National Opinion 

Research Center at the University of Chicago and the Center 

for Human Resource Research at The Ohio State University, 

under the direction and sponsorship of the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Partial funding 

support for the survey has been provided by the Office of 

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. 

Department of Justice, the Office of Vocational and Adult 

Education of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. 

Department of Defense, the National Institute of Child Health 

and Human Development of the U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, and the National Science Foundation. 

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. 

The fifteenth round of annual interviews took place 

between October 2011 and May 2012. This release examines 

the period from respondents’ 18th birthday until their 27th

birthday. All results are weighted using the survey weights 

from the round in the year the respondents turned 27. The 

survey weights correct for oversampling of some demographic 

groups and nonresponse. 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 

also 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 are still young, and have many years 

of schooling and 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-by-week 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 this inherent link between the calendar years and 

the ages of the respondents. The youngest respondents in the 

sample (birth year 1984) turned 27 during calendar year 2011, 

whereas the oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned 27 

during calendar year 2007. Some respondents may not be used 

in all tables if information about their work history is 

incomplete. 

Definitions 

Educational attainment. Educational attainment is taken 

at the time of the respondents’ 27th 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’s degree or any 

enrollment in college after high school are counted as having 

some college. 

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. 

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

employer. Jobs are therefore employer-based, not positionbased. 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. 

Partner Status. Partner status is determined using the 

household roster during the interview in the year the 

respondent turned 27. 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. 

Children in the household. The presence of children in 

the household is determined using the household roster during 

the interview the year a respondent turned 27. Children must 

be related to either the respondent or the respondent’s 

cohabitating partner. This includes biological, step, adopted, 

and foster children. Children of platonic roommates or other 

family members are not counted as children in the home. 

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 whites, blacks, and 

Hispanics or Latinos, but these groups are not mutually 

exclusive. “Hispanic or Latino” is considered to be an ethnic 

group, and people in that group can be of any race. Most other 

BLS publications include estimates for Hispanics or Latinos in 

the white and black race groups in addition to the Hispanic or 

Latino ethnic group. 

Information in this release will be made available to 

sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 

(202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339. 
(Percent distribution)

Total High school 

diploma Total Some college

Bachelor's 

degree or 

more 1

Total ................................... 8.7 25.5 18.2 7.3 65.5 37.5 28.1

White, non-Hispanic ............ 7.1 24.7 18.3 6.4 68.0 35.4 32.7

Black, non-Hispanic ............ 12.4 30.6 19.1 11.5 56.5 41.2 15.3

Hispanic or Latino ............... 13.6 28.5 21.0 7.5 57.5 43.0 14.5

Men .................................... 9.3 29.5 21.0 8.5 60.9 37.0 23.9

White, non-Hispanic ............ 7.3 28.6 21.4 7.2 63.9 35.7 28.3

Black, non-Hispanic ............ 14.4 37.2 21.8 15.4 47.8 36.2 11.7

Hispanic or Latino ............... 14.6 31.3 22.5 8.8 53.7 41.9 11.8

Women ............................. 8.1 21.4 15.4 6.0 70.3 37.9 32.4

White, non-Hispanic ............ 6.8 20.7 15.1 5.6 72.3 35.0 37.2

Black, non-Hispanic ............ 10.4 24.0 16.5 7.5 65.2 46.3 18.9

Hispanic or Latino ............... 12.5 25.3 19.3 6.1 61.8 44.2 17.6

 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. 

Table 1. Highest grade completed by young adults at age 27 in 2007-11 by sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity 

 Characteristic

Educational Attainment

 1

 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees such as law or medical 

degrees.

High school 

dropouts

 College

General 

Educational 

Development 

(GED) 

recipients

High School Graduates
Total, ages 18 to 26 in 1998-2011.................................... 6.2 72.5 6.2 21.4

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 5.5 53.5 12.0 34.6

 High school graduates, no college 1 ............................ 5.9 70.7 8.2 21.1

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.3 76.5 5.8 17.7

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 6.5 74.5 3.0 22.4

Men .................................................................................. 6.0 74.5 6.7 18.8

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 5.9 62.0 13.4 24.6

 High school graduates, no college1 ............................ 6.1 75.4 8.7 15.9

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.0 79.0 5.8 15.2

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 6.0 71.3 3.2 25.5

Women ............................................................................ 6.3 70.4 5.6 24.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 4.9 43.2 10.3 46.5

 High school graduates, no college1 ............................ 5.6 64.1 7.4 28.4

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.6 74.0 5.8 20.2

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 6.9 77.0 2.9 20.1

White, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 6.4 75.2 5.1 19.7

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 6.2 57.5 11.7 30.8

 High school graduates, no college1 ............................ 6.0 74.6 6.8 18.6

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.5 78.8 4.7 16.6

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 6.7 75.8 2.8 21.4

Black, non-Hispanic ......................................................... 5.8 62.2 10.7 27.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 4.3 39.0 15.9 45.1

 High school graduates, no college1 ............................ 5.6 59.0 12.6 28.4

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.4 68.3 10.0 21.7

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 6.3 71.2 4.6 24.3

Hispanic or Latino ............................................................ 5.6 72.1 6.5 21.3

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 4.9 59.9 9.2 31.0

 High school graduates, no college1 ............................ 5.8 69.8 8.2 22.0

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 5.7 77.1 5.5 17.4

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 5.8 73.4 3.8 22.7

Unemployed

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 27 when interviewed in 2011-12. 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 as of age 27. 

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or medical degrees.

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

Table 2. Average number of jobs and percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force 

from age 18 through age 26 in 1998-2011 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Employed

Average number

 of jobs Not in labor force

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 26

 in 1998-2011
Total ..................................... 4.3 68.1 6.4 25.5 2.7 78.0 5.9 16.2

 Less than a high school diploma ..................... 3.8 51.0 12.6 36.4 2.3 56.6 11.1 32.2

 High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 4.0 68.3 8.7 23.0 2.6 73.8 7.5 18.7

 Some college or associate degree .................. 4.5 73.6 5.9 20.5 2.7 80.2 5.6 14.2

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 4.5 65.9 3.0 31.0 3.0 85.3 3.1 11.6

Men ..................................... 4.2 69.1 7.0 23.9 2.7 81.2 6.4 12.4

 Less than a high school diploma ..................... 4.2 58.8 13.9 27.3 2.5 66.1 12.3 21.5

 High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 4.2 71.9 9.3 18.8 2.7 79.7 7.9 12.4

 Some college or associate degree .................. 4.3 74.8 5.9 19.3 2.7 84.1 5.7 10.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 4.1 60.7 3.2 36.1 2.8 84.5 3.3 12.2

Women ..................................... 4.5 67.0 5.8 27.1 2.7 74.6 5.3 20.2

 Less than a high school diploma ..................... 3.3 41.6 11.0 47.4 2.1 45.3 9.6 45.1

 High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 3.9 63.1 8.0 28.9 2.3 65.4 6.9 27.7

 Some college or associate degree .................. 4.7 72.2 6.0 21.8 2.8 76.2 5.4 18.3

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 4.8 69.9 3.0 27.2 3.1 85.9 2.9 11.2

White, non-Hispanic ..................................... 4.5 71.4 5.2 23.4 2.8 80.1 5.0 15.0

 Less than a high school diploma ..................... 4.3 56.1 11.7 32.2 2.6 59.1 11.5 29.3

 High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 4.2 73.5 7.1 19.4 2.5 76.1 6.4 17.6

 Some college or associate degree .................. 4.7 76.8 4.7 18.5 2.8 81.2 4.6 14.2

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 4.6 67.3 2.8 29.9 3.0 86.4 2.8 10.8

Black, non-Hispanic .................................... 3.9 56.7 11.3 32.0 2.7 69.2 10.0 20.8

 Less than a high school diploma ..................... 2.8 34.8 17.8 47.5 1.9 44.4 13.9 41.7

 High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 3.7 54.2 13.7 32.2 2.5 65.0 11.4 23.6

 Some college or associate degree .................. 4.3 63.6 10.1 26.3 2.9 74.1 9.8 16.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 4.2 60.8 4.6 34.7 3.0 84.2 4.6 11.2

Hispanic or Latino ....................................... 3.8 67.1 7.1 25.7 2.6 78.4 5.7 15.9

 Less than a high school diploma ..................... 3.4 55.1 10.4 34.5 2.2 65.8 7.7 26.5

 High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 3.8 65.1 9.1 25.8 2.6 75.7 7.2 17.1

 Some college or associate degree .................. 4.0 72.5 5.9 21.7 2.5 83.0 4.9 12.1

 Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 3.9 66.6 4.0 29.4 2.8 82.0 3.6 14.4

Unemployed

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 27 when interviewed in 2011-12. 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 as of age 27.

Table 3. Average number of jobs and percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 

26 in 1998-2011 by age, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or medical degrees.

Percent of total weeks

Employed Not in labor 

force

Age 23 to 26 in 2003-11

Average 

number

 of jobs

Average 

number

 of jobs

Ages 18 to 22 in 1998-2006

 1

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

Characteristic

Percent of total weeks

Employed Unemployed Not in labor 

force
1 year or 

less

More than 1 

year but 

less than 2 

years

Ongoing at the 

2011 - 12 

survey

Total, ages 18 to 26 in 1998-2011.................................... 99.1 56.8 14.4 12.9 15.8

Less than a high school diploma .................................. 95.9 66.2 12.3 9.6 11.9

High school graduates, no college 1 ............................ 99.2 57.8 14.0 12.9 15.3

Some college or associate degree ............................... 99.4 56.8 14.4 13.0 15.8

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 99.8 53.2 15.5 13.8 17.5

Men .................................................................................. 99.3 56.4 14.0 12.8 16.8

Less than a high school diploma .................................. 98.3 63.0 13.8 10.0 13.3

High school graduates, no college 1 ............................ 99.7 57.0 14.1 13.1 15.8

Some college or associate degree ............................... 99.1 55.9 13.9 13.0 17.2

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 99.5 53.9 14.3 13.1 18.7

Women ............................................................................ 99.0 57.3 14.9 13.0 14.8

Less than a high school diploma .................................. 93.1 70.2 10.5 9.0 10.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ............................ 98.4 59.0 13.9 12.5 14.6

Some college or associate degree ............................... 99.6 57.8 14.9 13.0 14.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. (3) 52.5 16.5 14.3 16.7

White, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 99.4 56.3 14.4 13.3 16.0

Less than a high school diploma .................................. 96.9 67.4 11.4 9.7 11.5

High school graduates, no college 1 ............................ 99.5 56.6 13.8 13.7 15.9

Some college or associate degree ............................... 99.5 56.6 14.2 13.4 15.9

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. 99.8 53.4 15.7 13.8 17.1

Black, non-Hispanic ......................................................... 97.9 61.4 13.9 10.1 14.5

Less than a high school diploma .................................. 91.6 69.8 12.0 7.1 11.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ............................ 97.9 62.7 14.1 9.8 13.5

Some college or associate degree ............................... 99.0 61.0 14.1 9.7 15.1

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. (3) 53.7 14.5 14.3 17.5

Hispanic or Latino ............................................................ 99.1 54.3 15.3 13.8 16.6

Less than a high school diploma .................................. 97.2 59.2 14.1 11.2 15.5

High school graduates, no college 1 ............................ 99.5 55.5 15.0 14.1 15.3

Some college or associate degree ............................... 99.2 53.7 15.4 13.9 17.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ................................. (3) 49.4 16.5 15.1 19.1

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 27 when interviewed in 2011-12. 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 as of age 27.

Table 4. Percent holding a job and duration of employment relationship with a single employer for all jobs from age 18 

through age 26 in 1998-2011 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

 3 Number rounds to 100 percent.

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees such as law or medical degrees.

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

Characteristic

Percent of 

those who 

ever held a 

job

Percent distribution of duration of employment 

relationships

2 years or 

more
Total ......................................................................... 47.0 33.5 19.5 40.7

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 45.1 27.4 27.5 60.8

High school graduates, no college 2 ............................... 46.1 30.9 23.0 52.3

Some college or associate degree ................................... 47.3 34.1 18.6 44.1

Bachelor's degree and higher 3

 .................................... 48.1 36.9 15.0 19.4

Men ...................................................................................... 52.4 29.2 18.4 29.4

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 47.5 28.0 24.5 44.1

High school graduates, no college 2 ............................... 51.0 26.8 22.2 37.6

Some college or associate degree ................................... 52.3 29.7 17.9 29.1

Bachelor's degree and higher 3

 .................................... 56.2 31.8 12.0 14.2

Women ................................................................................ 41.4 38.0 20.6 52.4

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 42.3 26.6 31.1 80.9

High school graduates, no college 2 ............................... 39.1 36.8 24.1 73.4

Some college or associate degree ................................... 42.2 38.6 19.3 59.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 3

 .................................... 41.9 40.8 17.2 23.4

White, non-Hispanic ............................................................ 41.2 39.1 19.7 38.8

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 39.4 32.7 27.9 64.6

High school graduates, no college 2 ............................... 39.0 36.5 24.5 53.3

Some college or associate degree ................................... 41.1 39.9 18.9 42.2

Bachelor's degree and higher 3

 .................................... 43.2 41.7 15.1 18.7

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................................. 68.0 14.7 17.4 48.0

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 63.6 12.1 24.3 51.1

High school graduates, no college 2 ............................... 67.9 12.3 19.7 49.7

Some college or associate degree ................................... 69.2 15.4 15.4 53.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 3

 .................................... 68.2 19.5 12.3 28.6

Hispanic or Latino ................................................................ 46.8 33.0 20.1 46.8

Less than a high school diploma ...................................... 38.9 31.8 29.2 65.9

High school graduates, no college 2 ............................... 46.6 32.5 20.9 51.8

Some college or associate degree ................................... 47.5 34.5 18.0 44.3

Bachelor's degree and higher 3

 .................................... 52.8 30.9 16.4 26.9

Table 5. Partner status and presence of own or partner's child in household of young adults at age 27 by

educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 27 when interviewed in 2011-12. 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 as of age 27. Partner status and presence of own or partner's children in the 

household are determined during the interview in the year the individual turned 27.

 3 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees such as law or 

medical degrees.

 1 Individuals may be living with their parents and/or roommates. This would not affect their partner status.

 2 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) 

credential.

Characteristic

Percent of population

Partner in household 1 

Own or 

partner's child 

in the 

household

Single Married Cohabiting
Characteristic

Total, ages 18 to 26 in 1998-2011............... 69.7 7.1 23.2 76.5 4.5 19.0 72.1 6.9 21.1

Less than a high school diploma ............. 49.3 13.0 37.7 60.7 10.5 28.8 53.2 11.7 35.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 67.1 9.7 23.1 75.6 5.9 18.5 71.4 8.1 20.5

Some college or associate degree ........... 74.2 6.8 18.9 79.3 4.1 16.6 77.1 6.3 16.6

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ............... 72.0 3.3 24.7 77.4 2.6 20.0 75.5 3.3 21.3

Men ............................................................ 70.4 7.5 22.2 81.8 5.0 13.3 74.6 7.5 17.8

Less than a high school diploma ............. 52.7 14.8 32.5 73.9 11.3 14.9 66.7 12.9 20.4

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 70.0 10.1 20.0 85.4 6.0 8.6 75.6 8.7 15.7

Some college or associate degree ........... 76.2 6.5 17.4 85.4 4.3 10.3 76.4 6.6 17.0

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ............... 68.3 3.5 28.2 75.4 2.7 21.9 74.5 2.8 22.7

Women ...................................................... 68.9 6.6 24.6 72.4 4.1 23.5 69.7 6.2 24.1

Less than a high school diploma ............. 44.7 10.6 44.7 44.1 9.5 46.4 40.5 10.4 49.1

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 61.9 9.1 29.0 65.4 5.7 28.9 65.8 7.4 26.8

Some college or associate degree ........... 71.8 7.3 20.9 74.6 4.0 21.5 77.7 6.1 16.2

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ............... 75.8 3.2 21.0 78.6 2.5 18.9 76.0 3.5 20.5

White, non-Hispanic ................................... 73.4 5.7 20.9 77.7 4.0 18.3 74.2 6.0 19.8

Less than a high school diploma ............. 53.9 13.0 33.1 63.7 10.6 25.7 55.2 11.1 33.7

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 72.8 8.0 19.2 77.0 5.1 17.9 74.1 7.2 18.7

Some college or associate degree ........... 77.0 5.4 17.6 80.4 3.6 16.0 79.1 5.4 15.5

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ............... 73.9 3.0 23.0 77.8 2.5 19.7 75.4 3.2 21.4

Black, non-Hispanic .................................... 60.4 10.9 28.6 69.6 8.7 21.6 63.0 11.5 25.5

Less than a high school diploma ............. 36.7 15.5 47.8 39.9 17.1 43.0 44.6 16.6 38.9

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 55.4 13.3 31.4 70.4 10.6 19.0 64.4 11.8 23.8

Some college or associate degree ........... 67.3 10.2 22.5 74.4 7.9 17.7 66.5 11.1 22.4

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ............... 69.7 4.9 25.5 73.5 3.9 22.6 76.0 3.8 20.2

Hispanic or Latino ....................................... 71.5 7.2 21.3 73.3 5.4 21.3 71.6 6.8 21.6

Less than a high school diploma ............. 59.1 9.9 31.0 59.7 7.8 32.5 61.1 9.7 29.2

High school graduates, no college 1 ......... 69.2 9.2 21.6 72.5 7.3 20.2 67.1 7.4 25.6

Some college or associate degree ........... 77.2 6.2 16.5 76.6 4.2 19.1 77.8 5.9 16.2

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ............... 69.1 4.5 26.5 77.4 3.0 19.7 80.0 3.5 16.5

Not in labor 

force Employed

 1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential. 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees such as law or medical degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 27 when interviewed in 2011-12. 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 as of age 27. Partner status is determined during the interview in the year the individual turned 

27.

Table 6. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 26 in 1998-2011 by partner status, sex, 

race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Unemployed Unemployed Unemployed

Percent of total weeks ages 18-26 in 1998-2011

Not in labor 

force Employed Not in labor 

force

Single Married Cohabiting

Employed
Child No child Child No child Child No child Child No child

Total, .................................................................. 40.7 59.3 20.5 79.5 65.2 34.8 47.5 52.5

Less than a high school diploma ..................... 60.8 39.2 35.7 64.3 88.5 11.5 74.5 25.5

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 52.3 47.7 28.7 71.3 80.3 19.7 62.0 38.0

Some college or associate degree .................. 44.1 55.9 23.7 76.3 70.7 29.3 47.3 52.7

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 19.4 80.6 4.7 95.3 41.5 58.5 12.2 87.8

Men .................................................................... 29.4 70.6 5.2 94.8 62.8 37.2 45.6 54.4

Women ............................................................... 52.4 47.6 40.5 59.5 67.1 33.0 49.2 50.8

White, non-Hispanic ........................................... 38.8 61.2 15.6 84.4 62.5 37.5 40.2 59.8

 Men ................................................................. 29.2 70.8 4.8 95.2 59.4 40.6 39.1 60.9

 Women ............................................................ 48.7 51.3 31.6 68.4 64.8 35.2 41.3 58.7

Black, non-Hispanic ........................................... 48.0 52.0 36.3 63.7 79.6 20.4 66.9 33.1

 Men ................................................................. 30.0 70.0 7.5 92.5 77.3 22.7 64.8 35.2

 Women ............................................................ 66.1 33.9 62.3 37.7 82.3 17.7 69.8 30.2

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 46.8 53.2 19.4 80.6 73.9 26.1 66.3 33.7

 Men ................................................................. 35.3 64.7 3.9 96.1 73.0 27.0 60.2 39.8

 Women ............................................................ 59.9 40.1 40.6 59.4 74.8 25.2 72.2 27.8

Table 7. Presence of own or partner's children in household at age 27 in years 2007-2011 by partner status, educational

attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

 1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent (General Education Development (GED)) credential. 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees such as law or medical degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 27 when interviewed in 2011-12. 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 as of age 27. Partner status and presence of own or partner's children in the household are determined during the interview 

in the year the individual turned 27.

Characteristic

Percent of population

Total Single Married Cohabiting
Total, ................................................................. 73.9 5.8 20.3 70.4 6.7 22.9

Less than a high school diploma ..................... 50.7 13.8 35.5 55.3 10.8 34.0

High school graduates, no college 1 ................ 72.0 8.8 19.2 69.6 7.6 22.8

Some college or associate degree .................. 78.5 5.7 15.7 74.0 5.9 20.2

Bachelor's degree and higher 2

 ..................... 74.1 3.1 22.8 76.5 2.7 20.8

Men ................................................................... 72.5 6.6 20.9 79.2 7.2 13.7

Women .............................................................. 75.9 4.7 19.4 65.3 6.4 28.3

White, non-Hispanic .......................................... 76.6 4.8 18.6 73.0 5.5 21.4

Men................................................................. 75.7 5.4 18.9 82.0 6.1 11.9

Women ........................................................... 77.9 4.0 18.1 67.5 5.1 27.3

Black, non-Hispanic ........................................... 62.0 10.6 27.4 62.5 10.8 26.7

Men................................................................. 60.0 11.4 28.6 68.7 11.0 20.3

Women ........................................................... 66.1 8.9 25.0 59.6 10.8 29.6

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 74.9 6.6 18.5 69.0 6.4 24.5

Men................................................................. 74.3 7.3 18.5 78.4 7.6 14.1

Women ........................................................... 76.0 5.4 18.6 62.8 5.7 31.5

Table 8. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed and not in the labor force from age 18 through age 26 

in 1998-2011 by presence of children, educational attainment, sex, race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 26 in 1998-2011

 2 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees, such as law or medical degrees.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 27 when interviewed in 2011-12. 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 as of age 27. Presence of own or partner's children in the household are determined during the 

interview in the year the individual turned 27.

Characteristic

Employed Unemployed

No children With children

Not in labor 

force Employed Unemployed Not in labor 

force

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