U.S. Census Bureau
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September 21, 2007


Reasons People Do Not Work

Of the estimated 227 million people 15 years and older who resided in the United States in the first quarter of 2004, nearly 79 million (35 percent) had not worked at a paid job for at least the prior four consecutive months. Retirement (38 percent) and school attendance (19 percent) were the most commonly reported reasons. Chronic illness or disability was the main reason for almost 1 in 7 (15 percent) nonworkers. Taking care of children or others accounted for 13 percent. Around 6 percent cited an economic reason for not working. Find out the other reasons and much more in Reasons People Do Not Work: 2004.

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