For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, February 9, 2011 USDL-11-0155 

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 23: SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, TRAINING, AND 

EMPLOYMENT TRANSITIONS BETWEEN AGES 22 AND 23 

At age 23, there is a clear gender gap in educational attainment. While nearly 1 in 4 women had earned a 

bachelor’s degree by the October when they were age 23, only 1 in 7 men had done so, the U.S. Bureau 

of Labor Statistics reported today. Additionally, the same percentage of men and women, 16 percent, 

were enrolled in college at age 23, so it is unlikely the gap in educational attainment will close in the 

next few years. 

These findings are from the first 12 annual rounds of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, 

which is 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 

23 to 29 when interviewed for the 12th time in the 2008-09 survey round. 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 examines the school enrollment and employment experiences of these individuals when 

they were ages 22 and 23, with a focus on their characteristics during October. Respondents were age 22 

in October during the years 2002 to 2007 and age 23 in October from 2003 to 2008. Highlights from the 

longitudinal survey include: 

 During the October when they were 23 years old, 23 percent of women had earned a bachelor’s 

degree, compared with 14 percent of men. (See table 1.) 

 Among those who were enrolled in college when they were 22 years old, almost a third had 

earned a bachelor’s degree by age 23, while 23 percent were no longer enrolled in college. NonHispanic blacks and Hispanics or Latinos were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have 

earned a bachelor’s degree between ages 22 and 23. (See table 2.)

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

Armed Forces during the October when they were age 23, as were 6 percent of the 23-year-old 

men who had attended college but had not earned a bachelor’s degree and were no longer 

enrolled. Two percent of 23-year-old men with a bachelor’s degree were serving in the Armed 

Forces. (See table 3.) 
- 2 - 

 Individuals born from 1980 to 1984 held an average of 4.9 jobs from age 18 to age 23. Those 

with more education held more jobs than those with less education. (See table 4.)

 High school graduates who had never enrolled in college were employed an average of 74 percent of the weeks from age 18 to age 23. By comparison, those who had dropped out of high 

school were employed 54 percent of those weeks. (See table 4.) 

 Six percent of individuals who had not earned a high school diploma or General Educational 

Development (GED) credential before their 24th birthday had never held a job since the time 

they left high school. (See table 5.) 

Educational Attainment at Age 23 

Nineteen percent of individuals had earned a bachelor’s degree by the October when they were age 23, 

up from 10 percent at age 22. The percent of individuals enrolled in college fell from 27 percent at age 

22 to 16 percent at age 23. Forty-seven percent of 23-year-olds had graduated from high school and 

were not enrolled in college, and 8 percent had earned a GED credential and were not enrolled in 

college. Eleven percent of individuals were high school dropouts during the October when they were age 

23. (See table 1.) 

Women were 1.6 times as likely as men to have earned a bachelor’s degree by the October when they 

were age 23 and were equally likely to be enrolled in college. Twenty-three percent of women had 

earned a bachelor’s degree, compared with 14 percent of men. Women were less likely than men at age 

23 to be high school dropouts or high school graduates not enrolled in college. 

There remains a large gap in educational attainment among racial and ethnic groups. At age 23, nonHispanic whites were more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics or Latinos to have 

earned a bachelor’s degree. Twenty-two percent of non-Hispanic whites had earned a bachelor’s degree, 

compared with 9 percent of non-Hispanic blacks and 8 percent of Hispanics or Latinos. Non-Hispanic 

blacks and Hispanics or Latinos were twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be high school dropouts 

in the October when they were age 23. 

Schooling and Training between Ages 22 and 23 

Some people delay their college enrollment for a year or more after high school, and others enroll in 

college and then leave before earning a degree. Seven percent of high school graduates who were not 

enrolled in college during the October when they were age 22 were enrolled in college the following 

October. Twenty-three percent of those enrolled in college during the October when age 22 were not 

enrolled the following October and had not earned a bachelor’s degree. Forty-five percent of individuals 

attending college during the October when they were age 22 were still attending college the following 

October, and 32 percent had earned a bachelor’s degree. Among those enrolled in college during the 

October when they were age 22, women were more likely than men to have earned a bachelor’s degree 

by the October when they were 23 years of age (36 percent of women compared with 29 percent of 

men). Six percent of both women and men enrolled in college during the October when they were age 

22 were enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program the following October. (See table 2.) 

Non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics or Latinos who were enrolled in college at age 22 were more likely 

than non-Hispanic whites to have left college by the following October without having earned a 

bachelor’s degree. Among those enrolled in college during the October when they were age 22, non-
- 3 - 

Hispanic blacks and Hispanics or Latinos were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have earned a 

bachelor’s degree by the following October, but non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics or Latinos were 

more likely than non-Hispanic whites to have remained enrolled in college. 

Instead of attending school, some young adults enroll in training to further their skills. Five percent of 

high school graduates who were not enrolled in college at age 22 were in a training program during the 

October when age 23, while 1 percent of those previously enrolled in college at age 22 were enrolled in 

a training program at age 23. 

Employment Status of Young Adults Not Enrolled in School at Age 23 

At age 23, 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 unemployed or out of the labor 

force. Sixty percent of high school dropouts were employed in civilian jobs in the October when they 

were age 23. At the same age, 75 percent of high school graduates who had never enrolled in college 

were employed in civilian jobs, and another 5 percent were serving in the Armed Forces. Among 23-

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 4 percent were 

serving in the Armed Forces. Eighty-nine percent of 23-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 3.) 

Men and women who were college graduates at age 23 were equally likely to be employed. At lower 

levels of educational attainment, men were more likely than women to be employed. Sixty-eight percent 

of male high school dropouts were employed during the October when they were age 23, compared with 

50 percent of female dropouts. Among high school graduates who had never enrolled in college, 77 percent of men and 73 percent of women were employed in civilian jobs, and 8 percent of men and 1 percent of women were serving in the military. Eighty-three percent of men and 79 percent of women who 

had attended some college but had not earned a bachelor’s degree and were no longer enrolled were 

employed in civilian jobs in the October when they were age 23; 6 percent of men in this educationalattainment group were serving in the military, compared with 2 percent of women. Among those who 

had earned a bachelor’s degree and were no longer enrolled, 90 percent of both men and women were 

employed in civilian jobs or serving in the military during the October when they were age 23. 

Employment Attachment of Young Adults 

Individuals held an average of 4.9 jobs from the ages of 18 to 23 in 1998-2008. On average, men held 

4.7 jobs and women held 5.1 jobs. (See table 4.) In this release, a job is defined as an uninterrupted 

period of work 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 to age 23. 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. 

The amount of time employed differs substantially between educational-attainment groups, especially 

among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics or Latinos. Non-Hispanic blacks with less than a high school 

diploma spent 40 percent of weeks employed and 44 percent of weeks out of the labor force from age 18 
- 4 - 

to age 23. By comparison, non-Hispanic black high school graduates who had never enrolled in college 

spent 61 percent of weeks employed and 26 percent of weeks out of the labor force. Non-Hispanic 

blacks with a bachelor’s degree or more education were employed 66 percent of weeks from age 18 to 

age 23. Hispanic or Latino high school dropouts spent 60 percent of weeks employed, compared with 73 

percent of weeks for Hispanic or Latino high school graduates or those with a bachelor’s degree. 

The amount of time spent in the labor force also differs by sex. Men with less than a high school 

diploma spent 61 percent of weeks employed from age 18 to age 23. These men also spent 13 percent of 

weeks unemployed. By comparison, women with less than a high school diploma spent 45 percent of 

weeks employed and 9 percent of weeks unemployed from age 18 to age 23. Women without a high 

school diploma spent as much time out of the labor force as they spent employed. Women with a 

bachelor’s degree or more education spent a larger proportion of weeks employed than did men (74 

versus 65 percent). 

Duration of Employment Relationships 

By their 24th birthday, nearly all young adults had held at least one job since leaving high school, 

although high school dropouts, especially female and non-Hispanic black dropouts, were less likely ever 

to have held a job than were young adults with more education. Most jobs held through age 23 were of 

relatively short duration. Of the jobs held by 18- to 23-year-old workers, 56 percent ended in 1 year or 

less, and another 13 percent ended in less than 2 years; nine percent of jobs lasted 2 years or more. 

Another 22 percent of jobs were ongoing at the time of the 2008-09 survey, and their ultimate duration 

is therefore not yet known. 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. (See table 5.) 
Technical Note 

The estimates in this release were obtained using data 

from the first 12 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 twelfth round of annual interviews took place 

between October 2008 and May 2009. This release examines 

the period from respondents’ 18th birthday until the month 

before respondents were age 24. 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 

23. The estimates of school enrollment status at ages 21 and 

22 use 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 22 during calendar year 

2006, whereas the oldest respondents (birth year 1980) turned 

22 during calendar year 2002. 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, tech-
nical, 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 an uninterrupted 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 be counted as a new job. For example, 

if an individual worked in a retail establishment, quit, and 

then resumed working for the same employer at a later date, 

this sequence would count as two jobs, rather than one. 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 21 ......... 100.0 12.2 42.6 6.5 37.2 1.0

Men ....................................... 100.0 13.5 45.4 7.7 32.3 0.7

Women ................................... 100.0 10.8 39.7 5.2 42.6 1.3

White, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 9.7 41.5 6.4 41.2 1.0

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 19.1 44.7 8.5 25.8 0.9

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 100.0 18.2 48.8 5.4 25.9 0.7

Total, October when age 22 ......... 100.0 11.4 44.3 7.3 27.1 9.6

Men ....................................... 100.0 12.4 46.6 8.5 25.2 6.8

Women ................................... 100.0 10.2 41.9 6.0 29.1 12.7

White, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 9.0 43.2 7.0 29.0 11.5

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 17.4 47.3 10.4 20.2 4.3

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 100.0 17.3 49.6 5.9 22.8 3.6

Total, October when age 23 ......... 100.0 10.6 46.5 8.0 16.0 18.7

Men ....................................... 100.0 11.8 48.7 9.3 15.8 14.3

Women ................................... 100.0 9.5 44.1 6.6 16.2 23.4

White, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 8.4 45.5 7.6 15.8 22.4

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 16.5 48.4 11.4 14.7 8.7

Hispanic or Latino ..................... 100.0 16.6 52.7 6.8 15.5 8.1

 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. 

Table 1. Educational attainment of young adults during the October when ages 21 to 23 in 2001-2008 by 

sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity 

 Characteristic

Educational attainment 

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. Also includes persons enrolled in graduate programs.
(Percent distribution)

Not enrolled 

in school or 

training 

program

Enrolled in 

training 

program3 

Enrolled in 

graduate or 

professional 

program

High school graduates, 

not enrolled in college1

 ................. 100.0 87.7 6.9 5.1 0.4 0.1

Men ................................................ 100.0 88.1 6.2 5.5 0.1 0.1

Women ............................................. 100.0 87.2 7.7 4.5 0.6 (

4

)

White, non-Hispanic ............................ 100.0 87.7 6.8 5.0 0.5 0.1

Men ............................................. 100.0 87.7 6.6 5.4 0.2 0.1

Women .......................................... 100.0 87.7 7.0 4.4 0.9 0.0

Black, non-Hispanic ............................. 100.0 88.9 6.6 4.4 0.1 (

4

)

Men ............................................. 100.0 91.4 4.3 4.1 0.1 (

4

)

Women .......................................... 100.0 85.9 9.3 4.7 0.1 (

4

)

Hispanic or Latino ................................ 100.0 87.6 6.0 6.3 (

4

) 0.1

Men ............................................. 100.0 86.8 5.7 7.4 (

4

) (4)

Women .......................................... 100.0 88.4 6.4 4.9 (

4

) 0.3

Enrolled in college ................................. 100.0 21.5 45.3 1.0 26.1 6.1

Men ................................................ 100.0 22.3 48.4 0.8 22.7 5.9

Women ............................................. 100.0 20.8 42.5 1.1 29.2 6.4

White, non-Hispanic ............................ 100.0 20.2 42.4 1.0 29.8 6.6

Men ............................................. 100.0 20.5 45.8 0.7 26.6 6.3

Women .......................................... 100.0 19.9 39.2 1.3 32.8 6.8

Black, non-Hispanic ............................. 100.0 24.8 53.3 0.6 17.0 4.3

Men ............................................. 100.0 23.1 58.6 0.5 13.5 4.3

Women .......................................... 100.0 26.0 49.5 0.6 19.6 4.3

Hispanic or Latino ................................ 100.0 27.6 52.7 0.8 14.9 3.9

Men ............................................. 100.0 33.7 51.3 0.4 11.7 2.9

Women .......................................... 100.0 21.1 54.2 1.2 18.4 5.1

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 2. School or training enrollment status during the October when age 23 in 2003-2008 by school enrollment 

status during the October when age 22, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

School enrollment status during

the October when age 22

 1 Respondents who have received a General Educational Development (GED) credential are counted as high school 

graduates.

 2 A small percent of respondents were enrolled in both college and training. They are counted in the college category only

Total

Enrolled in 

College2

 4 Less than .05 percent

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had earned a bachelor's degree by the October when age 22.

School enrollment status 

during the October when age 23

 3 Training includes any courses, training programs, or apprenticeships designed to help people find a job, improve their job 

skills, or learn a new job.

Not enrolled 

in graduate or 

professional 

program

Earned Bachelor's Degree
(Percent distribution)

Total Employed 

civilian

Serving in 

Armed 

Forces

Total .................................................................. 100.0 75.8 3.0 4.2 17.0

Men .............................................................. 100.0 76.5 4.6 4.4 14.5

Women ........................................................... 100.0 75.1 1.3 3.9 19.7

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 78.4 2.9 3.6 15.0

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 66.1 3.0 7.3 23.6

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 75.2 3.2 3.8 17.8

High school dropouts ........................................... 100.0 60.1 0.1 7.8 31.9

Men ............................................................. 100.0 68.1 0.2 9.2 22.5

Women ........................................................... 100.0 49.6 (

1

) 6.0 44.4

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 64.6 (

1

) 7.9 27.6

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 43.7 0.6 11.7 44.1

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 68.4 (

1

) 4.8 26.9

High school graduates, never enrolled in college 2 ....... 100.0 75.1 5.0 5.4 14.4

Men ............................................................. 100.0 76.6 7.9 5.5 10.0

Women ........................................................... 100.0 73.0 0.9 5.4 20.7

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 78.1 4.8 4.6 12.5

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 67.1 4.9 8.6 19.4

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 70.9 6.3 5.5 17.3

Some college, no longer enrolled ........................... 100.0 80.6 4.1 3.2 12.0

Men ............................................................. 100.0 82.6 5.9 2.9 8.6

Women ........................................................... 100.0 78.6 2.4 3.5 15.5

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 82.3 4.5 2.7 10.5

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 72.9 3.5 5.7 17.9

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 82.1 3.8 3.4 10.7

 Bachelor's degree or more, no longer enrolled 3

 ...... 100.0 88.5 1.5 3.1 6.9

Men ............................................................. 100.0 88.4 1.7 3.3 6.6

Women ........................................................... 100.0 88.6 1.3 3.0 7.1

White, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 88.5 1.4 3.2 6.9

Black, non-Hispanic ............................................ 100.0 91.0 0.6 2.2 6.3

Hispanic or Latino .............................................. 100.0 84.9 1.6 0.7 12.8

Table 3. Employment status of young adults not enrolled in school during the October when age 23 in 2003-2008 by 

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

 2

 Respondents who have received a General Educational Development (GED) credential are counted as high school 

graduates.

 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 23

 1

 Less than .05 percent.

Not in the 

labor force

Employment status during the October when age 23

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 23 in 1998-2008.................................... 4.9 72.2 5.7 21.8

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 4.6 54.2 11.2 33.9

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 4.6 73.8 7.5 18.4

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 5.0 77.0 4.6 18.1

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 5.4 69.8 3.0 26.9

Men .................................................................................. 4.7 73.7 6.2 19.8

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 4.9 61.4 12.7 25.4

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 4.6 78.2 7.7 13.8

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 4.7 77.8 4.6 17.3

 Bachelors degree or more 2

 ....................................... 4.9 64.5 3.2 32.0

Women ............................................................................ 5.1 70.7 5.1 23.8

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 4.3 45.1 9.3 44.8

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 4.5 67.4 7.2 25.1

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 5.2 76.1 4.6 19.0

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 5.8 73.7 2.9 23.2

White, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 5.2 74.9 4.6 20.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 5.6 58.0 10.5 30.7

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 4.8 77.5 6.1 16.0

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 5.1 79.5 3.6 16.5

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 5.5 70.8 2.9 26.0

Black, non-Hispanic ......................................................... 4.5 61.9 10.2 27.6

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 3.3 40.3 15.7 43.5

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 4.2 61.4 12.3 25.9

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 4.9 69.0 8.2 22.5

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 5.5 66.4 4.3 29.1

Hispanic or Latino ........................................................... 4.3 72.3 6.2 21.2

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 3.9 59.9 8.4 31.2

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 4.1 72.9 7.3 19.4

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 4.5 76.0 5.2 18.5

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 4.8 73.0 3.2 23.6

 1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.

 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 23.

 Percentages do not sum to 100 percent due to a small number of respondents whose employment status cannot be determined for 

all weeks.

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 24 when interviewed in 2008-09.

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

Table 4. Percent of weeks individuals were employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force from age 18 through age 23 in 

1998-2008 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 23

 in 1998-2008
1 year or 

less

More than 1 

year but 

less than 2 

years

Ongoing at 

the 2008 - 

09 survey

Total, ages 18 to 23 in 1998-2008 ................................... 98.2 56.4 13.0 9.2 21.5

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 93.9 65.0 11.1 6.4 17.4

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 97.8 56.4 12.8 8.5 22.2

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 98.7 54.8 13.3 10.0 21.9

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 99.6 55.4 13.5 9.6 21.4

Men .................................................................................. 98.0 55.6 12.8 8.5 23.1

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 95.4 61.7 11.9 5.7 20.7

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 97.8 55.1 13.1 8.3 23.6

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 98.2 54.0 13.1 9.4 23.5

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 99.2 56.3 12.4 8.7 22.6

Women ............................................................................ 98.4 57.2 13.2 9.8 19.8

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 92.0 69.4 10.1 7.4 13.0

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 97.6 58.5 12.4 8.8 20.3

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 99.1 55.6 13.5 10.6 20.3

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... (3) 54.9 14.2 10.3 20.6

White, non-Hispanic ........................................................ 98.8 56.2 12.9 9.5 21.4

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 96.2 67.8 10.4 6.1 15.7

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 98.3 55.5 12.7 9.0 22.8

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 99.2 54.7 12.9 10.5 21.8

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... 99.7 55.6 13.7 9.6 21.0

Black, non-Hispanic ......................................................... 95.6 61.0 12.2 6.8 20.0

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 87.9 68.9 10.7 3.9 16.6

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 95.1 61.9 12.6 6.1 19.4

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 97.7 59.0 12.5 7.2 21.3

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... (3) 56.7 11.5 10.4 21.4

Hispanic or Latino ........................................................... 98.1 52.7 13.6 9.8 23.8

 Less than a high school diploma ................................... 94.7 56.7 13.1 9.2 21.0

 High school graduates, never enrolled in college 1 ......... 98.3 53.0 13.1 10.2 23.7

 Some college or associate degree ................................ 98.8 52.1 14.1 9.5 24.3

 Bachelor's degree or more 2

 .................................... (3) 48.9 14.0 11.0 26.0

 NOTE: This table excludes individuals who had not yet turned age 24 when interviewed in 2008-09. 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 23.

 1 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent. 

Table 5. Duration of employment relationship with a single employer for all jobs from the time a person left high 

school through age 23 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.

Characteristic

Percent 

ever held a 

job

Percent distribution of duration of employment 

relationships