1 in 3 American men are not working in nearly 20-year low — and there’s a driving force behind staggering statistic
The percentage of American men in the workforce has reached a nearly 20-year low, with one in three not working as of 2026. Labor statistics indicate that only 66% of men aged 20 and over are employed or actively seeking work, a significant drop from previous years. Factors contributing to this decline include job losses in male-dominated industries and an increase in retirees and individuals leaving the workforce due to disability.
- ▪As of April 2026, only 66% of American men aged 20 and over are employed or seeking work.
- ▪The current employment rate for men is the lowest it has been in nearly two decades.
- ▪Many men have left the workforce due to disabilities, with some relying on government assistance.
- ▪The number of jobs added to the US economy since 2025 has predominantly favored women, with 96% of new jobs going to them.
- ▪Despite low participation rates, male unemployment has remained stable between 3% and 4% since 2021.
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US News 1 in 3 American men are not working in nearly 20-year low — and there’s a driving force behind staggering statistic By Alex Oliveira Published May 28, 2026, 7:22 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google The number of American men in the workforce are at its lowest level in two decades — with about one in three American men having stopped working as of 2026, new labor statistics show. Just 66% of men were employed or actively seeking a job as of April, a nearly 20-year low from 73% in 2006, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released Friday. The current number — covering men aged 20 and over — is almost exactly as low as it was after the 2008 recession, when rates first plummeted by seven points in about a year.
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