Millennials became the largest generation in the labor force in 2016 the labor force, in millions
More than one-in-three American labor force participants (35%) are Millennials, making them the largest generation in the U.S. labor force, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
As of 2017 – the most recent year for which data are available – 56 million Millennials (those ages 21 to 36 in 2017) were working or looking for work. That was more than the 53 million Generation Xers, who accounted for a third of the labor force. And it was well ahead of the 41 million Baby Boomers, who represented a quarter of the total. Millennials surpassed Gen Xers in 2016.
Meanwhile, the oldest members of the post-Millennial generation (those born after 1996) are now of working age. Last year, 9 million post-Millennials (those who have reached working age, 16 to 20) were employed or looking for work, comprising 5% of the labor force.
Millennials became the largest generation in the labor force in 2016  | the labor force, in millions  | 70  | 66  | 60  | Boomers  | 54  | 56  | 8  | 53  | 50  | Gen Xers  | 41  | 40  | Millennials  | 30  | Silent) Greatest  | 20  | 10  | Post Millennials  | 1997  | 1994  | 2000  | 2005  | 2008  | 2010  | 2015  | 2017  | Note: Labor force includes those ages 16 and older who are working or looking for Survey work. Annual averages shown.  | Source: Pew Research Center analysis of monthly 1994-2017 Current Population Survey (IPUMS).  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 