Labor Force Participation Rate
Returns the labor force participation rate, which is the percentage of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment.
Data Details
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) / FRED |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Unit | Percentage |
| Coverage | Civilian population 16+ |
Notes
- Calculated as: (Labor Force / Civilian Population 16+) x 100
- Declining rates may indicate aging population or discouraged workers
- Important for understanding true labor market slack
Syntax
=LaborForceParticipationRate()Examples
Current participation rate
=LaborForceParticipationRate()/100=100-LaborForceParticipationRate()When to Use
- Analyzing labor market health
- Tracking workforce engagement trends
- Demographic analysis
- Economic research on employment
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need absolute labor force size | LaborForce() |
| Need total employment | EmployeesNonfarm() |
| Need total population | Population() |
Common Issues & FAQ
What does the percentage represent?
The percentage of working-age civilians (16+) who are in the labor force (employed or actively seeking work).
Why might participation rate decline?
Aging population, more students, early retirements, or discouraged workers dropping out of job searches.
How is this different from employment rate?
Participation rate includes unemployed job seekers; employment rate only counts employed.
Related Formulas
More MarketXLS Economic Data formulas you can use in the same worksheet:
- Layoffs and Discharges - Nonfarm
- Manufacture Orders - Durable Goods
- Manufacture Orders - Nondefense Capital Goods Except Aircraft
- Monetary Base
- Money Supply - M1
- Money Supply - M2
- Mortgage Rate - 15 Year
- Mortgage Rate - 30 Year
See LaborForceParticipationRate used in a complete workbook: Jobs Report Tracker Excel: Live Labor Market Dashboard for May 2026 NFP
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