A shortage of young men in the workforce could weigh on housing, Social Security, and growth for years to come

Experts warn that a long-standing trend of men dropping out of the workforce is dragging on the economy, and it could take years to reverse. This issue is particularly concerning because men have been leaving the labor force for decades.

Carol Graham, a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, notes that the labor force participation rate of prime working-age men (aged 25-54) has been steadily declining over the last 20 years. Currently, about 10% of men in this age group are neither employed nor actively seeking work. This figure is more than triple what it was in 1955, when just 3% of men were out of the workforce, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

This translates to approximately 7 million men of prime working age who are not working, which has created significant challenges for the economy. Key industries remain understaffed, while government services and social safety nets are stretched thin, Graham and other experts told Business Insider.

"Some of these men drop out of college and find themselves lost, lacking purpose or direction in life," Graham said. "They are often unmarried, living in their parents' basements, feeling lonely and isolated."

This situation can have generational consequences, Graham added, as men who leave the workforce tend to have lower incomes and face higher rates of mental and physical health problems, which can hinder their children’s ability to build wealth.

Zack Mabel, a research professor at Georgetown University, suggests that declining labor force participation among young men could negatively affect the economy for decades to come. "It’s a trend that has persisted over multiple decades, showing little sign of improvement, and could have serious long-term consequences," he said.

Unusual Whales does not confirm the information's truthfulness or accuracy of the associated references, data, and cannot verify any of the information. Any content on this site or related pages are not intended to provide legal, tax, investment or insurance advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. Nothing on Unusual Whales should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by Unusual Whales or any third party. Options, investing, trading is risky, and losses are more expected than profits. Please do own research before investing. Please only subscribe after reading our full terms and understanding options and the market, and the inherent risks of trading. It is highly recommended not to trade on this, or any, information from Unusual Whales. Markets are risky, and you will likely lose some or all of your capital. Please check our terms for full details.
Any content on this site or related pages are not intended to provide legal, tax, investment or insurance advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. Nothing on Unusual Whales should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by Unusual Whales or any third party. Certain investment planning tools available on Unusual Whales may provide general investment education based on your input. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation. See terms for more information.