Marketplace · Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Experts suggest that a rise in teens pursuing college, with more competing priorities like extracurriculars and college prep, is a primary reason for lower workforce participation. For lower-income teens, a decline in federal job programs and a general decrease in employer demand for young workers also play a role.
“Part of the reason is a sharp rise in the number of teens headed to college. They just have more competing priorities than previous generations. Extracurriculars, college prep, academic programs or internships.”
“For lower income teens, Wething says, a lot of summer employment opportunities have dried up since a key federal jobs program for youth was weakened in the 1990s.”
“Employers are just not as willing to take on new people even in the summer.”