2016–2026 Economic and Employment Projections — 2017-10-24

(NOTE: This news release was reissued on January 30, 2018, to correct the projection of self-employed workers for all detailed occupations. Text in the Occupational Employment section was affected.) Employment is projected to increase by 11.5 million over the 2016-26 decade, an increase from 156.1 million to 167.6 million, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This growth--0.7 percent annually--is faster than the 0.5 percent rate of growth during the 2006�16 decade, a period heavily affected by the 2007�09 recession. Health care industries and their associated occupations are expected to account for a large share of new jobs projected through 2026, as the aging population continues to drive demand for health care services. The labor force will continue to grow slowly and to become older and more diverse. The aging population is projected to result in a decline in the overall labor force participation rate over the 2016 to 2026 decade.