CultureBanx Team
- The gap in the Black-white employment-to-population ratio has diminished from 1.3 to 0.8 for workers 65 and up
- For workers between 25 and 64, the gap continues to narrow, as employment rates of Black Americans have surpassed pre-pandemic levels
While progress has been made in closing the race gap in employment, there are still areas where disparities persist. One area of interest is the employment of workers aged 65 and over. In the last 10 years, the gap in the Black-white employment-to-population ratio, which measures the share of all employed workers out of the total working-age population, has diminished from 1.3 to 0.8 in this age group.
Why This Matters: The labor force participation rate for workers aged 65 and over has been steadily increasing over the past decade, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The typical white worker is almost four years older than the typical Black worker, according to the BLS.
While the gap has closed for those 65 and over, the employment divergence between Black and white Americans of other age groups still exists. Employees in the 54-to-64 age group may face both racial and age discrimination. For workers between 25 and 64, the gap continues to narrow, as employment rates of Black Americans have surpassed pre-pandemic levels as of February 2020.
A study by the Center for American Progress found that African Americans continue to experience higher unemployment rates compared to whites in this age group. The research suggests that structural obstacles such as industry composition and discrimination may contribute to these disparities.
Situational Awareness: While progress has been made in closing the race gap in employment, disparities persist, particularly for older workers. The race gap in employment for workers aged 65 and over continues to be influenced by factors such as industry composition, discrimination, and long-term unemployment. By implementing these strategies, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable labor market for all workers, regardless of their race or age.
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