What Work Does Generative AI Do?
Essays SEP 8, 2026
By: Alexander Bick, Adam Blandin, David Deming, Tyler Schumacher
FEB 5, 2021
By: Kate Bahn and Carmen Sanchez Cumming
On February 5th, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released new data on the U.S. labor market during the month of January. Below are five graphs compiled by Equitable Growth staff highlighting important trends in the data.
The prime-age employment-to-population ratio increased only slightly to 76.4 percent in January, reflecting a slowdown of the pace of employment recovery since late fall
Share of 25-54 year olds who are employed 2000–2020
Unemployment declined for Black, Hispanic and White workers, but remains higher for Black and Hispanic workers, and unemployment increased for Asian American workers, reflecting persistent disparities in unemployment by race.
U.S. unemployment rate by race, 2000–2021
After a steep decline in December, the leisure and hospitality sector continued to decline in January. Employment growth in all industries remains below pre-pandemic levels as the recession continues.
Employment by major U.S. industry, indexed to average industry employment in 2007
As the recession continues, a higher proportion of unemployed U.S. workers face long-term unemployment.
Percent of all U.S. unemployed workers by length of time unemployed
Public-sector employment added a small amount of jobs in January, but remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels and risks further decline in absence of fiscal relief.
U.S. public- and private-sector employment indexed to average employment in 2007
Essays SEP 8, 2026
By: Alexander Bick, Adam Blandin, David Deming, Tyler Schumacher
Working Papers SEP 8, 2026
By: Alexander Bick, Adam Blandin, David Deming, Tyler Schumacher
Essays SEP 2, 2026
By: Megan Rivera
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