Mississippi Labor Force Participation Rate Remains Low
Report Highlights Factors Impacting Labor Force
Empower Mississippi, a local research and advocacy organization, released a report analyzing factors impacting the labor force in Mississippi.
The report highlights several key findings:
- Mississippi's labor force participation rate in 2022 was 54.9%, compared to the national rate of 62.2%.
- The state has never had a labor force participation rate higher than 43rd in the nation.
- Mississippians aged 25-44 have experienced a decline in labor force participation over the last three years.
Demographic Factors
The report also analyzes demographic factors impacting the labor force, including age, education level, race, and gender.
Key findings include:
- Older Mississippians are more likely to be out of the labor force than younger Mississippians.
- Mississippians with higher levels of education are more likely to be in the labor force.
- Black Mississippians are less likely to be in the labor force than White Mississippians.
Policy Recommendations
The report concludes with several policy recommendations to address the low labor force participation rate in Mississippi, including:
- Increasing access to affordable childcare.
- Expanding job training programs.
- Improving transportation options.
- Addressing the state's high poverty rate.
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