Longitudinal survey details work life from 18 to 44

Nearly 10,000 men and women born between 1957 and 1964 have been surveyed annually since 1979 as a part of the National Longitudinal Survey for Youth (NLSY). The respondents were between 14 and 22 years old when first interviewed, and between the ages of 43 and 52 during the most recent survey period (2008-9).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released a series of key findings about the work lives of this cohort:

• Respondents held an average of 11 jobs between ages 18 and 44.

• The average survey respondent was employed during 77 percent of the weeks from age 18 to 44. This varied substantially across racial and ethnic groups.

• Among the jobs started started by 39- to 44-year-olds, 33 percent of them ended in less than a year, and 68 percent ended in less than 5 years.

• On average, the least educated men held more jobs than the most educated men. The opposite was true for women in the survey.

For more information, visit the BLS website and read the full press release.