Here’s a stat that should send chills down your spine: Nearly ZERO net working-age adults are joining the U.S. labor force right now. This has likely never happened in American history. Let that sink in. We’re talking about an era where working-age people should be flooding the workforce to capitalize on the strongest economic performance in years. Yet, it seems we’re stuck in reverse.
In terms of output, the U.S. economy is flying high, outperforming 98% of other high-income countries. Even more impressive, productivity is up, surpassing 88% of global competition. So, what’s the issue? The country is technically thriving economically, but when it comes to the workforce, the numbers are flatlining.
Here’s the kicker: Life satisfaction is actually declining. People aren’t reaping the rewards of all this supposed economic success. So, despite the impressive metrics on paper, people are falling behind, disconnected from the growth they should be enjoying. What’s missing? Participation. The labor force is shrinking, and it’s not just a temporary blip. It’s becoming a serious structural problem.
So, what’s driving this unusual, almost contradictory reality? Enter the influencers. Personalities like Matt Walsh and James Lindsay have been outspoken in their criticism of higher education, encouraging conservatives to bypass college altogether. It’s possible that their rhetoric is part of a broader trend: The educational gap between Democrats and Republicans is widening fast, and that divide will only accelerate if this trend continues.
The fallout? A shift away from traditional career paths, where degrees have historically held value, leads to fewer people entering the workforce—and many of those that do aren’t entering at a high enough level to keep pace with global competition. This isn’t just a philosophical debate anymore. It’s a full-blown societal shift.
Sources:
https://x.com/VladTheInflator/status/1894067946189693189
https://x.com/unusual_whales/status/1894033793306235073
https://x.com/eyeslasho/status/1894213055598186826
https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/civilian-labor-force-participation-rate.htm