2008–2018 Economic and Employment Projections — 2009-12-10

NOTE: This release was reissued on Friday, December 11, 2009, to correct the website address in the footnote in tables 6-10. This correction did not affect any data or analysis in the release. Total employment is projected to increase by 15.3 million, or 10.1 percent, during the 2008-18 period, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The projections show an aging and more racially and ethnically diverse labor force, and employment growth in service-providing industries. More than half of the new jobs will be in professional and related occupations and service occupa- tions. In addition, occupations where a postsecondary degree or award is usually required are expected to account for one-third of total job openings during the projection period. Job openings from replacement needs--those which occur when workers who retire or otherwise leave their occupations need to be replaced-- are projected to be more than double the number of openings due to economic growth.