Native Born American Labor Participation Declines as Immigrant Workforce Grows

The American labor force is undergoing a profound shift. While immigrant labor participation continues to rise, native-born Americans are increasingly stepping away from the workforce. Recent data reveals a troubling trend that underscores a long-term issue for the U.S. economy and its labor market stability.

A report from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) highlights key figures that paint a stark picture:

• The share of native-born working-age men (16–64) not in the labor force has risen from 11% in 1960 to 22% in 2024.

• Among prime-age U.S.-born men (25–54), the percentage not working increased from 4% in 1960 to 12% in 2024.

• Meanwhile, the number of working-age immigrant men in the workforce surged by 14.1 million over the same period.

These numbers aren’t just statistics; they reflect a fundamental shift in workforce dynamics. Today, 43 million native-born Americans aged 16–64 are not working, a figure that’s 8.5 million higher than in 2000.

Experts argue over the causes behind this decline. Some point to overly generous government welfare programs that disincentivize work, while others blame stagnant wages and the erosion of traditional blue-collar jobs. Meanwhile, immigrant workers have filled the gaps, often taking on roles in industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

Steven Camarota, the lead author of the CIS report, emphasizes that reducing immigration could incentivize higher wages and pull native-born Americans back into the workforce. “Without significant policy changes, these trends will only worsen,” he warns.

However, defenders of current immigration levels argue that foreign-born workers are essential to economic growth, filling critical roles that many native-born Americans are unwilling to take. They also highlight the role of immigrant labor in curbing inflation and sustaining industries facing chronic shortages of skilled and unskilled workers.

At the center of this debate lies the Biden administration’s handling of immigration policy, border security, and labor market incentives. Critics argue that the administration’s failure to enforce strong border controls has further tilted the labor market imbalance, disadvantaging native-born workers and stagnating wages.

With the 2024 election cycle in full swing, this issue will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of political debate. Whether through immigration reform, labor incentives, or economic restructuring, policymakers must address the growing disconnect between native-born labor participation and the influx of foreign-born workers.

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