The Workforce - Share Of The Workforce Population By Race, 1988-2008

The graph shows the percent distribution of the workforce, by race, at decade intervals from 1988 to 2008. Whites, as expected, hold the largest share of jobs; this share is trending down, however, as minority shares rise to take up the slack. Hispanics share of the workforce will grow most in this period. The black and Asian populations, in combination, will gain 4.2%, the same percentages lost by whites. The table below shows the change in numbers.

Percentage Change in Workforce Share, 1988-2008

	Change (%)
White	-4.2
Black	+1.5
Hispanic	+5.3
Asian	+2.7

The whites' share is declining for three reasons: large numbers of older workers are leaving the workforce; whites have a low fertility rate and therefore provide fewer new workers, relatively; they are also receiving a decreasing share of immigrants from Europe.

The increase in the share of blacks is due to a younger age structure; more blacks, reaching retirement age, choose to remain at work for reasons to be discussed later. Blacks have a higher fertility rate than whites; more black women are and will be entering the workforce; black educational attainment is improving and leads to greater employability. The reasons for Hispanic gains parallel those for blacks; in addition, Hispanics also have a high immigration rate.

Asians have fewer workers of retirement age, display higher fertility than whites, have high educational attainment, are increasing their female presence in the work force, and also immigrate at high rates.

A closer look at the reasons behind the changing workforce follows.

Source: Fullerton, Jr., Howard N., "Labor force projections to 2008: steady growth and changing composition." Monthly Labor Review, November 1999.