What Is The Working Age Population In The U.S.? [2026]: Statistics On Prime Working Age Population In America
As of December 2025, the working-age population in the U.S. is approximately 208 million. This accounts for about 61.7% of the U.S. population, as defined by the OECD (ages 15-64). Given a national population of around 336 million, this leaves us with a working-age population nearing 208 million.
| Year | Share of Population That’s Working Age (15-64) | U.S. Population | Total Working Age Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 61.9% | 203,211,926 | 125,788,182 |
| 1980 | 66.1% | 226,545,805 | 149,746,777 |
| 1990 | 65.8% | 248,709,873 | 163,651,096 |
| 2000 | 66.2% | 281,421,906 | 186,301,301 |
| 2010 | 67.1% | 308,745,538 | 207,168,256 |
| 2020 | 64.8% | 331,449,281 | 214,779,134 |
| 2022 | 61.9% | 334,233,854 | 207,406,609 |
| 2025 | 61.7% | 336,000,000 | 208,000,000 |
The peak working-age population rate in the U.S. was recorded in 2006 and 2007, when 67.3% of the population was classified as being of working age. As of late 2025, the working-age demographic remains critical to understanding employment trends and economic activity in the U.S.
What is the Prime Working Age Population in the U.S.?
The prime working-age population in the U.S. is approximately 129 million. Defined as individuals aged 25-54, this segment comprises a vital part of the workforce, reflecting the economic potential of the nation as of 2025.
Within this age group, there are about 64.5 million men and 64.5 million women, showing a balanced representation in the workforce.
Working Age Population FAQ
-
Is the working age population the same as the labor force?
No, the working-age population is not synonymous with the labor force. The labor force consists of all employed and unemployed individuals, whereas the working-age population refers solely to people within the defined age range (15-64, as per OECD guidelines).
-
How do you calculate the labor force participation rate?
The labor force participation rate is calculated by dividing the labor force by the working-age population. For example, if there are 7,000 individuals in the labor force and 10,000 in the working-age population, the participation rate is 70%.
-
What age group is most employed?
As of 2025, the 35-44 age group remains the most employed. Labor force participation for this demographic is approximately 78%.
-
What age group is least employed?
Individuals aged 55 and older have the lowest employment rates. The labor force participation rate for this group stands at around 37% in 2025.
Working Age Population as % of Total U.S. Population 1970-2025
| Year | Share of Population That’s of Working Age (15-64) |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 61.9% |
| 1971 | 62.3% |
| 1972 | 62.8% |
| 1973 | 63.3% |
| 1974 | 63.9% |
| 1975 | 64.3% |
| 1976 | 64.8% |
| 1977 | 65.3% |
| 1978 | 65.7% |
| 1979 | 66% |
| 1980 | 66.1% |
| 1981 | 66.2% |
| 1982 | 66.3% |
| 1983 | 66.3% |
| 1984 | 66.3% |
| 1985 | 66.4% |
| 1986 | 66.5% |
| 1987 | 66.4% |
| 1988 | 66.2% |
| 1989 | 66% |
| 1990 | 65.8% |
| 1991 | 65.6% |
| 1992 | 65.5% |
| 1993 | 65.4% |
| 1994 | 65.4% |
| 1995 | 65.4% |
| 1996 | 65.5% |
| 1997 | 65.7% |
| 1998 | 65.9% |
| 1999 | 66% |
| 2000 | 66.2% |
| 2001 | 66.4% |
| 2002 | 66.6% |
| 2003 | 66.7% |
| 2004 | 66.9% |
| 2005 | 67.1% |
| 2006 | 67.3% |
| 2007 | 67.3% |
| 2008 | 67.2% |
| 2009 | 67.2% |
| 2010 | 67.1% |
| 2011 | 67.1% |
| 2012 | 66.8% |
| 2013 | 66.6% |
| 2014 | 66.3% |
| 2015 | 66.1% |
| 2016 | 65.9% |
| 2017 | 65.6% |
| 2018 | 65.4% |
| 2019 | 65.1% |
| 2020 | 64.8% |
| 2021 | 61.7% |
| 2022 | 61.9% |
| 2025 | 61.7% |
References
-
U.S. Census Bureau. “Historical Population Change Data (1910-2020).” Accessed on February 28, 2026.
-
OECD. “Working age population.” Accessed on February 28, 2026.
-
Statista. “Resident population of the United States by sex and age.” Accessed on February 28, 2026.
Author
Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.
