Publications
The Hamilton Project produces and commissions policy proposals and analyses to promote broad-based economic growth by embracing a significant role for well-designed government policies and public investment.
Economic Facts
Seven economic facts about prime-age labor force participation
This set of economic facts takes stock of the labor market through May 2025, paying particular attention to prime-age labor force participation.
Employment & Wages
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Posts
Proposed SNAP cuts would permanently undermine recession readiness and responsiveness
Economic Security & Inequality
Social Insurance
Tax Policy & Budget
Posts
Will the reconciliation bill’s Child Tax Credit changes leave out children in low-income working families?
Economic Security & Inequality
Tax Policy & Budget
Posts
Work requirements penalize workers in volatile occupations
Employment & Wages
Social Insurance
Tax Policy & Budget
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Economic Facts
July 1, 2025
Seven economic facts about prime-age labor force participation
This set of economic facts takes stock of the labor market through May 2025, paying particular attention to prime-age labor force participation.
Posts
May 22, 2025
Work requirements penalize workers in volatile occupations
Elizabeth Ananat, Anna Gassman-Pines, and Olivia Howard warn that work requirements, such as those Congress is currently considering adding or expanding in mea…
Papers
April 7, 2025
A primer on SNAP work requirements
An explainer on work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) summarizes the research on…
Posts
March 13, 2025
Work permit applications suggest prior immigration is still pushing up labor supply—for now
Work permit applications remain elevated despite recent immigration slowdowns, illustrating a lag between policy changes and labor market effects that will con…
Posts
February 5, 2025
Higher new Census population estimates will affect the employment report
Labor force and employment numbers will be affected by new Census population revisions that account for immigration.
Posts
January 9, 2025
Low-income workers experience—by far—the most earnings and work hours instability
This analysis documents how instability is a defining characteristic of low-income workers’ earnings and hours.
Posts
December 5, 2024
The softening labor market is still growing
This analysis uses key indicators from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) to investigate how firms are hiring and retaining workers and the imp…
Posts
October 31, 2024
The softening labor market shows resilience and some pockets of slack
Our review of key labor market indicators finds that the labor market remains tight but shows some pockets of slack.