Figure 4. Comparison of 10-year annual growth rate of labor force historical data with projections, 2006, 2008, and 2010
Year Annual 10-year average annual growth (percent) Projections (2006, 2008, and 2010)

1957

66,929 1.21

1958

67,639 1.1

1959

68,369 1.1

1960

69,628 1.13

1961

70,459 1.28

1962

70,614 1.29

1963

71,833 1.32

1964

73,091 1.39

1965

74,455 1.36

1966

75,770 1.31

1967

77,347 1.46

1968

78,737 1.53

1969

80,734 1.68

1970

82,771 1.74

1971

84,382 1.82

1972

87,034 2.11

1973

89,429 2.22

1974

91,949 2.32

1975

93,775 2.33

1976

96,158 2.41

1977

99,009 2.5

1978

102,251 2.65

1979

104,962 2.66

1980

106,940 2.6

1981

108,670 2.56

1982

110,204 2.39

1983

111,550 2.23

1984

113,544 2.13

1985

115,461 2.1

1986

117,834 2.05

1987

119,865 1.93

1988

121,669 1.75

1989

123,869 1.67

1990

125,840 1.64

1991

126,346 1.52

1992

128,105 1.52

1993

129,200 1.48  

1994

131,056 1.44

1995

132,304 1.37

1996

133,943 1.29

1997

136,297 1.29

1998

137,673 1.24

1999

139,368 1.19

2000

142,583 1.26

2001

143,734 1.3

2002

144,863 1.24

2003

146,510 1.27

2004

147,401 1.18

2005

149,320 1.22

2006

151,428 1.23 1.1

2007

153,124 1.17

2008

154,287 1.15 1.2

2009

154,142 1.01

2010

153,889 0.77 1.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.