One way to track this shift is through the labor force participation rate of prime-age workers ages 25 to 54, which measures the share of this group that is working or actively seeking work. This group typically has the highest participation and makes up about two-thirds of Missouri’s workforce.
Metropolitan counties continue to see stronger participation, averaging 86%, compared to 78% in nonmetropolitan areas.
From 2015 to 2024, Missouri’s prime-age workforce declined by more than 38,000 workers, about a 2% decrease. Some industries, like agriculture, are feeling this shift more than others, with more than one-third of workers age 55 or older.
Higher participation rates are generally found in western Missouri and along the Missouri and Mississippi river corridors. At the same time, late-career workers are making up a larger share of the workforce, accounting for 38% in 2024, up from 29% in 2015.
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