2004-06-15-皮尤-Latino_Labor_Report,_First_Quarter_2004_23页_474kb

Latino Labor Report, First Quarter, 2004: Wage Growth Lags Gains in Employment

Core Content

This report analyzes labor market trends for Hispanic workers in the U.S. from the first quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2004. It highlights that while employment for Hispanics has increased, wage growth has not kept pace, and the political implications of these trends are significant.

Main Findings

• Employment Growth: Hispanic employment increased by 704,779 workers from Q1 2003 to Q1 2004, outpacing the growth in the non-Hispanic labor force. However, this growth was not evenly distributed across all segments of the Hispanic population.
• Wage Stagnation: Despite employment gains, weekly earnings for Hispanic workers remained stagnant or declined in recent years. The median weekly wage for Hispanics declined in all but one of the past eight quarters.
• Unemployment Trends: The Hispanic unemployment rate decreased from 8.5% in Q1 2003 to 8.1% in Q1 2004, but it increased again in May 2004 to 7%, reflecting the growing participation of Hispanic workers in the labor force.
• Demographic Differences: Immigrant Latinos, particularly those arriving since 2000, accounted for the majority of employment gains, with 748,305 new jobs added. In contrast, first-generation and third-generation Latinos experienced net job losses.
• Gender Disparities: Female Hispanic workers saw an increase in employment, while male Hispanic workers experienced a slowdown, with a net loss of 23,397 jobs in Q1 2004.
• Construction Industry: The construction industry was a major source of employment for Hispanics, contributing 380,492 jobs over the year. However, job growth in this sector slowed in 2004.
• Non-Citizens and Voting Rights: Non-citizens, including Hispanics, captured 28.5% of the total employment gains in the U.S., even though they make up only 8.6% of the overall workforce. This has political implications as non-citizens are not eligible to vote in the November election.
• Battleground States: These states accounted for nearly 75% of the employment gains, despite comprising only 35% of the working-age population. Non-citizens in these states captured 21.5% of the employment increase, which is less than their national share but still significant.
• Labor Force Participation: The labor force participation rate for Hispanics increased from 67.7% in December 2003 to 69.1% in May 2004. This increase, while positive, has contributed to a rise in the unemployment rate.

Key Information

• Employment-to-Population Ratio: For Hispanics, this ratio increased slightly from 63.3% in December 2003 to 64.2% in May 2004, but it remains below pre-recession levels.
• Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate for Hispanics fell from 8.5% in Q1 2003 to 8.1% in Q1 2004, but increased again in May 2004 to 7%, showing instability.
• Wage Trends: Real weekly earnings for Hispanic workers were lower in Q1 2004 than in Q1 2003. Wages for Hispanic males and construction workers were stagnant or declining, while Hispanic females and immigrant Latinos saw wage increases.
• Political Impact: The disproportionate employment gains for non-citizens, especially Hispanics, could influence the presidential campaign, as these workers are not eligible to vote.
• Data Sources: The report uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau, with adjustments made by the Pew Hispanic Center to account for changes in the Current Population Survey (CPS).

Conclusion

The labor market for Hispanics has seen notable employment gains since 2003, particularly among immigrants and in the construction industry. However, these gains have not translated into significant wage increases. The unemployment rate for Hispanics has fluctuated, with a recent increase, and the labor force participation rate has risen, contributing to this trend. The political significance of these employment gains, especially for non-citizens, underscores the broader implications of labor market dynamics on the U.S. economy and society.