summer of teens-2024 forecast

Over the next few months, there will be an influx of Michigan teenagers looking for summer jobs, some for the first time, as they enter a promising job market. Adolescents entering the workforce will typically find work in many highly seasonal industries, such as Aaccommodation and food services; Retail trade; AND Arts, entertainment and recreation sectors. Many of the jobs available in these seasonal industries can be ideal for teenagers, as they would typically require minimal education, experience or training.

This year, the Michigan Center for Data and Analysis released the Summer of Teens (June-August 2024) forecast that provides projected employment rates, labor force levels, labor force participation rates, and unemployment rates for Michigan teens. , from the age of 16 to 19 years. This data center will provide a summary of new projected data for summer 2024 (June-August 2024) and additional analysis on historical labor market data for Michigan teens using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS).

	Adolescent Workforce	Employment of Adolescents	Adolescent unemployment	Youth unemployment rate (percentage)
Summer 2024 (Prediction)	247600	218 900	28700	11.6

Source: Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

The unemployment rate among teenagers is expected to be low.

Michigan Summer Unemployment Rates for Teens, 2010 – 2024 (June-August)

Source: Michigan Center for Data and Analysis & Current Population Survey, US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Similar to statewide rates, Michigan’s teen unemployment rates have trended downward in recent years, falling sharply from highs at the start of the pandemic, where rates reached 23.6 percent from June to August 2020. In subsequent years , Michigan’s teen unemployment rates have shown marked improvements, falling to a range between 10 and 15 percent. This summer, Michigan’s teen unemployment rate is expected to average 11.6 percent, down 2.1 percentage points from 13.7 percent in 2023.

Labor force levels are expected to ease slightly

This summer, approximately 247,600 teenagers are expected to be looking for work in Michigan’s job market. This is slightly down from 2023, but is above the number of teenagers in the labor market in recent years. Labor force participation among Michigan teenagers is projected to be 50.0 percent this summer. This is similar to the high rate of participation of teenagers seen in 2023 and above that recorded in the last 10 years. Having half of teens expected to participate in the labor market this summer is a marked improvement over the 38.3 percent of teens who participated in the labor market in 2020.

Michigan’s teen labor force participation is expected to remain high.

Michigan Teen Summer Labor Force Participation Rates, 2010 – 2024 (June-August)

Source: Michigan Center for Data and Analysis & Current Population Survey, US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Teens looking for summer jobs are encouraged to contact their local Michigan Works! Office. Michigan Works! offers help with CV development and job searching, including access to Pure Michigan Talent Connect, and also offers advice on applying to your first job.

For additional insight on the summer 2024 labor market forecast for Michigan teens, read the full press release from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics.