Potential Workers on the Sidelines: Labor Force Participation Continues to Slide
Summary
The National Restaurant Association analysis shows a continuing slide in US labor force participation, with the rate at 61.9% in March 2026 and the civilian labor force shrinking from 128.69 million in March 2025 to 123.84 million in March 2026. It details declines across gender and age groups, notes relatively steady participation for prime-age workers, and highlights the restaurant sector’s staffing implications. The piece argues for both policy and business approaches to re-engage workers and considers automation and workforce development as part of the solution.