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Why New England’s Labor Force Participation Has Been Recovering So Slowly since the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Mary A. Burke
  • Nathaniel R. Nelson

Abstract

This report investigates a variety of factors that may explain why New England experienced a participation recovery gap from 2019 through 2023 and discusses the resulting policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary A. Burke & Nathaniel R. Nelson, 2025. "Why New England’s Labor Force Participation Has Been Recovering So Slowly since the COVID-19 Pandemic," New England Public Policy Center Research Report 25-1, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedbcr:99455
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    File URL: https://www.bostonfed.org/publications/new-england-public-policy-center-research-report/2025/why-new-englands-labor-force-participation-has-been-recovering-so-slowly-since-the-covid-19-pandemic.aspx
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ariel J. Binder & John Bound, 2019. "The Declining Labor Market Prospects of Less-Educated Men," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 33(2), pages 163-190, Spring.
    2. Congressional Budget Office, 2024. "Effects of the Immigration Surge on the Federal Budget and the Economy," Reports 60165, Congressional Budget Office.
    3. Courtney Coile, 2018. "Working Longer in the U.S.: Trends and Explanations," NBER Working Papers 24576, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    New England; labor force participation rate; COVID-19; population aging; retirements;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts

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