Civilian labor force participation rates by sex, 1950 to 2005 and projected 2010 to 2050 Percent Labor force Men Women participation rates 1950 86.4 33.9 1960 83.3 37.7 1970 79.7 43.3 1980 77.4 51.5 1990 76.4 57.5 2000 74.8 59.9 2005 73.3 59.3 2010 72.6 59.7 2020 70.0 59.4 2030 67.4 56.5 2040 66.5 55.5 2050 66.0 55.1