Tucson economy: Labor participation rises but still lags peers

Published
06-29-2019

In 2017, the Tucson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ranked ninth out of 12 comparable western MSAs in the labor force participation rate for the working-age population (25-54). Tucson’s rate of 80.2 percent was a 0.9 percentage point increase since 2009. The labor force participation rate is an important gauge of the health and potential output of the economy. Included in the labor force are both employed persons and the unemployed who are actively seeking employment. A higher rate indicates that workers believe businesses are hiring for jobs that are worth their time and effort. Tucson’s labor force participation rate during 2017 was at a 20-year high and outperformed the state. 

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