The U.S. civilian labor force is projected to grow by 12.6 million between 2008 and 2018, to 166.9 million. A slowdown in labor force growth is expected partly as a result of slower population growth and a decreasing over-all labor force participation rate. The projected 8.2-percent increase for the 2008-18 period is less than the 12.1-percent growth that occurred between 1998 and 2008.
