U.S. Workforce Thins as Experts Debate Why Millions Are Leaving

About 1 million Americans left the workforce over the past year, with June’s labor-force participation at 61.5%, the lowest since 2021. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, but experts say this drop reflects fewer people seeking work rather than more hiring. Causes are debated, including caregiving, burnout, retirements amid stock-market gains, skills shifts, and return-to-office mandates affecting women and workers with disabilities. A shrinking workforce could slow economic growth and worsen long-term labor shortages.