Labor Force Participation Trends
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) reports a significant increase in U.S.-born men not participating in the labor force, rising from 11.3% in 1960 to 22.1% in 2024.
Simultaneously, the number of working-age immigrant men in the labor force grew by 14.1 million from 1960 to 2024, highlighting a shift in workforce demographics.
Policy and Economic Implications
Critics argue that relying on immigrant labor overlooks the growing issue of native-born Americans sidelined from the workforce, suggesting a need for policy reforms to encourage native participation.
The CIS and other analysts propose that reducing immigration could lead to wage increases and a reevaluation of welfare and disability programs, addressing the decline in native labor force participation.