HOUSEHOLD DATA ANNUAL AVERAGES 35. Persons not in the labor force by desire and availability for work, age, and sex (In thousands) Total Age Sex Category 16 to 24 25 to 54 55 years Men Women years years and over 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 Total not in the labor force............ 66,837 67,547 11,343 11,343 18,552 18,732 36,942 37,472 24,454 24,799 42,382 42,748 Do not want a job now(1).............. 61,895 62,735 9,434 9,491 16,311 16,580 36,151 36,664 22,420 22,790 39,475 39,945 Want a job(1)......................... 4,941 4,812 1,909 1,852 2,241 2,152 791 807 2,034 2,008 2,907 2,803 Did not search for work in previous year............................... 2,857 2,859 1,034 1,011 1,245 1,240 579 608 1,118 1,134 1,739 1,725 Searched for work in previous year(2)............................ 2,084 1,953 875 841 997 912 212 200 917 875 1,168 1,078 Not available to work now......... 669 643 346 332 289 275 34 36 257 250 412 392 Available to work now............. 1,416 1,310 529 509 708 637 178 164 659 624 756 686 Reason not currently looking: Discouragement over job prospects(3)................ 343 331 107 108 184 170 52 53 200 198 143 133 Reasons other than discouragement............... 1,073 979 423 401 524 467 126 111 460 427 613 552 Family responsibilities..... 139 143 26 37 97 93 16 13 21 23 117 120 In school or training....... 235 206 188 173 45 32 2 1 113 105 121 102 Ill health or disability.... 116 104 17 14 71 69 28 21 52 52 64 52 Other(4).................... 583 525 191 177 311 273 81 75 273 247 311 278 1 Includes some persons who are not asked if they want a job. 2 Persons who had a job in the prior 12 months must have searched since the end of that job. 3 Includes believes no work available, could not find work, lacks necessary schooling or training, employer thinks too young or old, and other types of discrimination. 4 Includes those who did not actively look for work in the prior 4 weeks for such reasons as child-care and transportation problems, as well as a small number for which reason for nonparticipation was not ascertained. NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the household survey.