For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Friday, March 1, 2013 USDL-13-0339 

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

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

(NOTE: This news release was reissued on March 22, 2013, to correct data in Table 4 for Hispanic 

or Latino high school graduates, never enrolled in college—percent unemployed while ages 22 to 

25. No other data or analysis was affected.) 

(NOTE: This news release was reissued on March 5, 2013, to correct data in Table 2 for Hispanics 

or Latinos with a bachelor's degree or more, no longer enrolled and not in the labor force during 

the October when age 25. No other data or analysis was affected.) 

AMERICA'S YOUTH AT 25: SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, NUMBER OF JOBS HELD 

AND LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY: RESULTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY 

By the October when they were 25 years of age, 30 percent of women and 22 percent of men had 

received a bachelor's degree, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Additionally, nearly the 

same percentage of men and women (13 and 14 percent respectively) were enrolled in college at age 25. 

These findings are from the first 14 annual rounds of 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 25 to 31 

when interviewed for the 14th time in 2010-11. 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 school enrollment and employment experiences of these individuals from 

their 18th birthday until they turned 26. Highlights from the longitudinal survey include: 

 During the October when they were 25 years old, 22 percent of men had received a bachelor's 

degree, compared with 30 percent of women. (See table 1 and chart 1.) 

 Five percent of male high school graduates who had never enrolled in college were in the Armed 

Forces during the October when they were age 25, as were 6 percent of the 25-year-old men who 

had attended college but had not earned a bachelor's degree and were no longer enrolled. Three 

percent of 25-year-old men with a bachelor's degree were serving in the Armed Forces. About 1 

percent of women in each of these educational attainment categories were in the Armed Forces at 

age 25. (See table 2.) 
- 2 - 

 Individuals born from 1980 to 1984 held an average of 6.3 jobs from ages 18 to 25. On average, 

those with more education held more jobs than those with less education. (See table 3.)

 Men held an average of 4.0 jobs from ages 18 to 21 and 3.2 jobs from ages 22 to 25 while 

women held an average of 4.2 jobs and 3.2 jobs at those ages. In general, from ages 22 to 25, 

individuals with more education held more jobs, worked more weeks, and were less likely to be 

out of the labor force. (See table 4.) 

 High school graduates who had never enrolled in college were employed an average of 69 

percent of the weeks from ages 18 to 21, and 76 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 25. In 

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

ages 18 to 21, and 58 percent of weeks from ages 22 to 25. (See table 4.) 

 By their 26th birthday, 5 percent of youths who had not received a high school diploma had 

never held a job since the time they turned 18. Of all jobs held by high school dropouts since age 

18, nearly two-thirds lasted less than a year. (See table 5.) 

Educational Attainment at age 25 

At 25 years of age, 26 percent of individuals had received their bachelor's degree, up from 23 percent at 

age 24, and 19 percent at age 23. The percent of individuals enrolled in college rose slightly from 13 to 

14 percent between ages 24 and 25. Forty-three percent of 25 year olds had graduated from high school 

and were not enrolled in college, and 8 percent had earned a General Educational Development (GED) 

credential and were not enrolled in college. Nine percent of individuals were high school dropouts 

during the October when they were age 25. (See table 1.) 

Women were much more likely than men to have received a bachelor's degree by the October they were 

age 25 and were equally likely to still be enrolled in college. Thirty percent of women had earned a 

bachelor's degree, compared with 22 percent of men. At age 25, women were less likely than men to be 

high school dropouts or high school graduates not enrolled in college. 

At age 25, there was a large difference in educational attainment among racial and ethnic groups. NonHispanic blacks and Hispanics were about twice as likely as whites to be high school dropouts in the 

October they were age 25. In comparison, whites were more than twice as likely as blacks or Hispanics 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

age 23 age 24 age 25

Percent

Chart 1.

Percent of individuals who have earned a

bachelor's degree, by age and sex

Men Women

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

age 23 age 24 age 25

Percent

Chart 2.

Percent of individuals who have earned a

bachelor's degree, by age, race and ethnicity

White Black Hispanic or Latino
- 3 - 

to have received their bachelor's degree by this age. Thirty percent of whites had received their 

bachelor's degree, compared with 14 percent of blacks and 12 percent of Hispanics. (See chart 2.) 

Employment Status at age 25 of Young Adults Not Enrolled in School 

Among those not enrolled in school the October when age 25, labor force status differed substantially by 

educational attainment. Those with more education were more likely to be employed in civilian jobs and 

less likely to be out of the labor force. Sixty percent of high school dropouts were employed in civilian 

jobs in the October they were age 25. At the same age, 76 percent of high school graduates who had 

never enrolled in college were employed in civilian jobs, and another 3 percent were serving in the 

Armed Forces. Among 25-year-old high school graduates who had some college experience but had not 

earned a bachelor's degree and were no longer enrolled in college, 81 percent were employed in civilian 

jobs and 3 percent were serving in the Armed Forces. Ninety-one percent of 25-year-olds who had 

earned a bachelor's degree and were no longer enrolled were employed in civilian jobs, while 2 percent 

were serving in the Armed Forces. (See table 2.) 

During the October when age 25, men were more likely to be serving in the Armed Forces than women 

(4 percent compared to 1 percent). Among high school graduates who had never enrolled in college, 5 

percent of men and 1 percent of women were serving in the Armed Forces; for those who had attended 

college without earning a bachelor's degree, nearly 6 percent of men and 1 percent of women were in the 

Armed Forces. Of those with a bachelor's degree, 3 percent of men and 1 percent of women were in the 

Armed Forces. 

Employment Attachment of Young Adults from ages 18 to 25 

Individuals had an average of 6.3 jobs from the ages of 18 through 25 in 1998-2010. On average, men 

held 6.2 jobs and women held 6.4 jobs. (See table 3.) In this 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 represented by the survey sample were employed during 72 percent of all the 

weeks occurring from age 18 through age 25. They were unemployed—that is, without jobs but seeking 

work—6 percent of the weeks. They were not in the labor force—that is, neither working nor seeking 

work—22 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 25. These men also spent 13 percent of weeks unemployed. In comparison, 

women with less than a high school diploma spent 44 percent of weeks employed and 10 percent of 

weeks unemployed from ages 18 to 25. Women without a high school diploma spent 46 percent of 

weeks from ages 18 to 25 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 (76 versus 70 percent) and less time out of the labor force (21 versus 27 percent). 

The amount of time employed differs between educational-attainment groups, especially among blacks. 

From ages 18 to 25, blacks with less than a high school diploma were employed in 40 percent of all 

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

61 percent of weeks, and blacks with a bachelor's degree or more education were employed 68 percent 

of weeks from ages 18 to 25. 
- 4 - 

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 22 to 25 than they did from ages 18 to 21. 

While ages 18 to 21, individuals held an average of 4.1 jobs and were out of the labor force 27 percent 

of weeks. From ages 22 to 25, individuals held 3.2 jobs while being out of the labor force just 17 percent 

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

attainment. (See table 4.) 

Employment differences by education begin early in workers’ careers. From ages 18 to 21, high school 

dropouts were employed 51 percent of weeks, and out of the labor force 37 percent of weeks. In 

comparison, high school graduates worked 69 percent of weeks from ages 18 to 21, and were out of the 

labor force for 24 percent of weeks. This pattern persists at later ages. From ages 22 to 25, high school 

dropouts worked 58 percent of weeks and were out of the labor force for 32 percent of weeks, compared 

to high school graduates, who worked 76 percent of weeks and were out of the labor force 17 percent of 

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

graduates, the percent of weeks worked rose from 64 percent at ages 18 to 21, to 83 percent at ages 22 to 

25. These individuals spent 34 percent of weeks out of the labor force from ages 18 to 21, but only 14 

percent of weeks out of the labor force from ages 22 to 25, less than all other educational attainment 

categories. 

The racial employment gap is more pronounced at lower levels of educational attainment. From ages 22 

to 25, white dropouts spent 61 percent of weeks employed and 28 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 lower among those who hold a bachelor's degree. At the same age, 

white college graduates spent 13 percent of weeks out of the labor force and 84 percent of weeks 

employed and black college graduates spent 17 percent of weeks out of the labor force and 79 percent 

employed. 

Duration of Employment Relationships 

By their 26th birthday, nearly all young adults had held at least one job since age 18. Most jobs held 

through age 25 were of relatively short duration. Of the jobs held by 18- to 25-year-old workers, 56 

percent ended in 1 year or less, and another 14 percent ended in less than 2 years. Twelve percent of jobs 

lasted 2 years or more. Another 18 percent of jobs were ongoing at the time of the 2010-11 survey, and 

their ultimate duration is therefore not yet known. (See table 5.) 

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 women high school dropouts, 70 percent 

ended in 1 year or less, while 6 percent lasted 2 years or more. 
Technical Note 

The estimates in this release were obtained using data 

from the first 14 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 fourteenth round of annual interviews took place 

between October 2010 and May 2011. This release examines 

the period from respondents’ 18th birthday until the month 

before respondents were age 26. All results except the first 

two age categories of table 1 are weighted using the survey 

weights from the round in which the respondents were age 

25. The estimates of school enrollment status at ages 23 and 

24 uses the survey weights from the round in which the 

respondents were those ages. 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 25 during calendar year 

2009, whereas the oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned 

25 during calendar year 2005. Some respondents may not be 

used in all tables if information about their work history is 

incomplete. 

Definitions 

School enrollment status. If a respondent was enrolled 

in college at any point during the month of October, he or she 

is counted as enrolled. 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. 

Training. The NLSY97 obtains information on formal 

training experiences outside of regular schooling. The 
training questions explore what kinds of training respondents 

obtain, where and when they are trained, how the training is 

paid for, and what skills are acquired. Training programs 

include: Business or secretarial training; vocational, technical, or trade training; vocational rehabilitation centers; 

licensed practical nursing or registered nursing programs; 

apprenticeship programs; adult basic education and GED 

programs; correspondence courses; formal company training 

or seminars; and government training. 

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 

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. 

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 

graduates, 

not enrolled 

in college

Enrolled in 

college

Total, October when age 23 ......... 100.0 10.6 45.5 7.9 17.1 18.7

Men ....................................... 100.0 11.7 47.9 9.2 16.8 14.2

Women ................................... 100.0 9.4 43.0 6.6 17.3 23.4

White, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 8.3 44.4 7.6 17.0 22.4

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 16.4 47.7 11.3 15.6 8.8

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 100.0 16.6 52.1 6.8 16.2 8.1

Total, October when age 24 ......... 100.0 10.2 45.4 8.5 12.7 23.0

Men ....................................... 100.0 11.1 47.8 9.9 12.3 18.7

Women ................................... 100.0 9.2 42.9 6.9 13.2 27.6

White, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 8.2 44.3 8.0 12.0 27.5

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 15.7 48.4 12.3 12.4 11.1

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 100.0 15.4 50.9 7.6 15.5 10.2

Total, October when age 25 ......... 100.0 9.4 42.9 8.4 13.5 25.7

Men ....................................... 100.0 10.2 45.0 9.9 13.2 21.5

Women ................................... 100.0 8.5 40.7 6.8 13.7 30.2

White, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 7.5 41.7 8.0 12.4 30.2

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 14.4 45.9 11.4 14.3 13.8

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 100.0 15.0 49.3 8.4 15.0 12.3

 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. School enrollment status of young adults during the October when ages 23 to 25 in 2003-10 by 

sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 

 Characteristic

School enrollment status

High school 

dropouts

Bachelor's 

degree or 

more 1

General 

Educational 

Development 

(GED) 

recipients, 

not enrolled 

in college

 1

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

degrees.
(Percent distribution)

Total Employed 

civilian

Serving in 

Armed 

Forces

Total .................................................................. 100.0 76.7 2.6 4.6 16.1

Men .............................................................. 100.0 78.1 4.2 5.2 12.5

Women ........................................................... 100.0 75.2 0.9 4.1 19.8

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 79.0 2.5 4.0 14.4

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 67.7 2.6 8.0 21.8

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 76.7 2.7 4.1 16.4

High school dropouts .......................................... 100.0 60.0 0.1 6.6 33.3

Men ............................................................. 100.0 68.3 0.2 7.9 23.6

Women ........................................................... 100.0 49.3 (1) 4.8 45.9

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 65.7 (1) 5.5 28.8

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 42.8 0.5 11.6 45.1

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 69.7 (1) 3.7 26.6

High school graduates, never enrolled in college 2 ....... 100.0 76.0 3.0 4.7 16.3

Men ............................................................. 100.0 81.6 4.7 4.6 9.0

Women ........................................................... 100.0 67.8 0.7 4.8 26.7

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 77.7 2.9 4.2 15.2

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 67.7 3.9 7.8 20.5

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 78.2 3.4 3.6 14.8

Some college, no longer enrolled ........................... 100.0 81.3 3.4 3.9 11.5

Men ............................................................. 100.0 82.8 5.6 3.7 7.9

Women ........................................................... 100.0 79.7 1.0 4.1 15.2

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 83.0 3.4 3.2 10.4

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 76.4 2.4 6.8 14.4

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 80.1 4.2 3.6 12.1

 Bachelor's degree or more, no longer enrolled 3

 ...... 100.0 91.2 1.5 2.7 4.6

Men ............................................................. 100.0 91.7 2.6 2.7 2.9

Women ........................................................... 100.0 90.8 0.6 2.7 5.9

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 91.4 1.5 2.7 4.4

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 94.3 0.9 3.3 1.6

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 87.5 1.6 0.5 4.7

Table 2. Employment status of young adults not enrolled in school during the October when age 25 in 2005-10 by

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

 2

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

 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

during the October when age 25

 1

 Less than .05 percent.

Not in labor 

force

Employment status during the October when age 25

Unemployed

 3

 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees or professional degrees such as law or medical degrees.
Total, ages 18 to 25 in 1998-2010.................................... 6.3 71.8 6.1 22.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 5.8 54.1 11.7 34.3

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 6.2 72.3 7.0 17.6

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.4 76.6 5.7 17.7

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 6.6 73.0 3.0 24.0

Men .................................................................................. 6.2 73.5 6.6 19.9

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 6.1 61.7 12.9 25.3

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 6.3 75.9 7.5 17.1

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.2 79.0 5.6 15.4

 Bachelors degree or more 2

 ....................................... 6.1 69.5 3.1 27.4

Women ............................................................................ 6.4 70.1 5.5 24.4

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 5.4 44.2 10.1 45.7

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 6.0 68.0 6.5 25.5

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.5 74.3 5.7 19.9

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 7.0 75.7 2.9 21.4

White, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 6.5 74.9 5.0 20.2

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 6.6 58.7 11.3 30.0

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 6.4 76.1 5.6 18.3

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.5 79.0 4.7 16.3

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 6.8 74.3 2.8 22.9

Black, non-Hispanic ......................................................... 5.9 60.9 10.6 28.5

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 4.6 39.6 15.5 44.9

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 5.8 60.8 11.7 27.4

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 6.4 68.4 9.5 22.1

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 6.3 68.2 4.1 27.7

Hispanic or Latino ............................................................ 5.7 71.2 6.5 22.3

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 5.2 56.6 8.5 31.9

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 5.7 70.9 7.6 21.5

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 5.8 76.5 5.6 18.0

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 5.8 73.0 3.4 23.5

 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 26 when interviewed in 2010-11. Percentages do not sum to 

100 percent due to a small number of respondents whose employment status cannot be determined for all weeks. 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 25. 

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

Table 3. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 25 in 

1998-2010 by educational attainment, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

Characteristic

Employed Unemployed

Average number

 of jobs Not in labor force

Percent of total weeks while ages 18 to 25

 in 1998-2010
Total ..................................................................... 4.1 66.7 6.4 26.9 3.2 77.0 5.8 17.2

 Less than a high school diploma ................................ 3.7 50.5 12.8 36.7 2.8 57.7 10.8 31.6

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ...... 4.1 68.7 7.6 23.7 3.0 76.0 6.6 17.4

 Some college or associate degree ............................. 4.2 73.1 6.1 20.8 3.1 80.1 5.4 14.6

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 4.0 63.6 2.7 33.8 3.6 82.5 3.3 14.2

 Men ................................................................... 4.0 67.4 7.1 25.5 3.2 79.6 6.2 14.2

 Less than a high school diploma................................ 3.9 57.5 14.5 28.0 2.9 66.0 11.6 12.9

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ...... 4.1 70.5 8.2 21.3 3.1 80.3 6.8 12.9

 Some college or associate degree ............................ 4.1 74.6 6.0 19.4 3.1 83.3 5.4 11.3

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 ................................. 3.7 58.1 2.8 39.1 3.4 80.9 3.4 15.6

 Women ......................................................... 4.2 66.0 5.7 28.3 3.2 74.2 5.4 20.5

 Less than a high school diploma ............................... 3.3 41.5 10.6 47.9 2.6 46.9 9.5 43.3

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ...... 4.1 66.1 6.8 27.1 2.8 70.0 6.3 23.8

 Some college or associate degree ............................ 4.4 71.7 6.1 22.2 3.1 77.0 5.4 17.7

 Bachelor's degree or more 2 ................................. 4.3 67.8 2.6 29.6 3.7 83.7 3.2 13.2

 White, non-Hispanic ................................................ 4.3 70.3 5.1 24.5 3.3 79.4 4.9 15.7

 Less than a high school diploma ............................... 4.2 56.2 11.9 32.0 3.1 61.1 11.0 27.9

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ...... 4.3 73.6 6.0 20.4 3.1 78.6 5.3 16.1

 Some college or associate degree ............................ 4.4 76.6 4.9 18.5 3.2 81.4 4.5 14.1

 Bachelor's degree or more 2 ................................. 4.2 65.1 2.5 32.4 3.7 83.6 3.1 13.4

 Black, non-Hispanic ................................................ 3.6 54.5 11.3 43.2 3.0 67.4 9.9 22.8

 Less than a high school diploma ............................... 2.8 35.2 17.4 47.3 2.3 43.9 14.0 42.1

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ...... 3.6 54.7 12.6 32.7 2.9 67.0 11.1 21.9

 Some college or associate degree ............................ 4.0 62.5 10.1 27.5 3.3 74.3 8.9 18.8

 Bachelor's degree or more 2 ................................. 3.7 57.2 3.8 39.0 3.5 79.2 4.2 16.6

 Hispanic or Latino ................................................ 3.7 65.7 7.4 27.0 2.9 76.8 5.7 17.5

 Less than a high school diploma ............................... 3.3 53.9 10.7 35.5 2.6 65.4 6.5 28.1

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ...... 3.8 65.8 8.4 25.8 2.8 76.0 6.9 17.2

 Some college or associate degree ............................ 3.8 70.9 6.2 22.9 3.0 82.1 4.9 13.1

 Bachelor's degree or more 2 ................................. 3.5 66.4 3.5 30.2 3.2 79.7 3.4 16.9

Unemployed Not in labor 

force

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 26 when interviewed in 2010-11. Totals do not add to 100 percent due to a small number of 

respondents whose employment status cannot be determined for all weeks. 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 25 in 1998-2010 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 Unemployed Not in labor 

force

Age 22 to 25 in 2002-10

Average 

number

 of jobs

Average 

number

 of jobs

Age 18 to 21 in 1998-2006

 1

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

Characteristic

Percent of total weeks

Employed
1 year or 

less

More than 1 

year but 

less than 2 

years

Ongoing at 

the 2010 - 

11 survey

Total, ages 18 to 25 in 1998-2010.................................... 98.6 55.8 14.3 11.8 18.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 94.7 65.0 12.9 7.3 14.8

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 98.6 55.2 13.9 11.9 18.9

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 98.7 55.2 14.1 12.1 18.5

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 99.7 54.3 15.2 12.7 17.8

Men .................................................................................. 98.4 55.1 13.8 11.5 19.6

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 95.6 60.6 13.1 8.6 17.7

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 98.9 54.9 14.1 11.1 19.8

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 98.1 54.3 13.7 12.0 19.9

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 99.4 54.7 13.6 12.2 19.5

Women ............................................................................ 98.8 56.4 14.8 12.2 16.6

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 93.7 70.0 12.7 5.8 11.4

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 98.0 55.8 13.7 13.1 17.5

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 99.3 56.1 14.5 12.2 17.2

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... (3) 54.0 16.5 13.1 16.4

White, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 99.1 55.9 14.1 12.3 17.7

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 95.8 68.6 12.4 7.3 11.7

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 99.0 54.5 13.6 12.6 19.3

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 99.1 55.8 13.6 12.6 18.0

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... (3) 54.4 15.6 12.6 17.4

Black, non-Hispanic ......................................................... 97.2 59.2 13.6 9.1 18.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 90.3 66.1 10.3 4.7 19.0

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 96.9 62.0 14.3 7.8 16.0

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 98.4 57.7 13.6 9.6 19.1

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 99.6 54.1 14.9 13.0 18.0

Hispanic or Latino ............................................................ 98.5 52.2 14.9 12.9 20.0

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 95.8 55.6 14.8 10.2 19.3

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 99.3 50.5 14.8 14.6 20.0

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 98.4 52.5 15.0 12.4 20.0

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... (3) 50.8 14.8 13.9 20.6

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 26 when interviewed in 2010-11. 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 25.

Table 5. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for all jobs from age 18 to age 25 in 1998-2010 

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

 3 Number rounds to 100 percent.

2 years or 

more

 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