Shocking 105 million Americans are not working – more than during COVID or the Great Recession

It’s hot NILF summer for American workers.

The number of adults who are “not in the labor force” (NILF) surged to an all-time high in June to 105.8 million, according to figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The record comes after a massive surge of 832,000 workers dropping out of the labor force in June alone. The overall number of NILFs is higher than at the height of the Great Recession or the COVID pandemic.

Lines of job seekers waiting to enter the Mega Job News USA South Florida Job Fair in Sunrise, Fla. on April 30, 2026.Getty Images

The definition is broad — it covers all Americans age 16 and over who aren’t currently working, including retirees and students.

More