COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many Missouri employers depend on young workers, but there are fewer of them to hire. A new brief from University of Missouri Extension notes that the state’s population of 16- to 24-year-olds has shrunk over the past decade even as a bigger share of young people are entering the workforce right after high school—a trend that highlights the need for training, apprenticeships and other career development opportunities.
The July 13 edition of the Missouri Economy Indicators series, published by MU Extension’s Exceed- Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development program, reports that Missouri has about 21,000 fewer people ages 16-24 than it did 10 years ago, a decline of 2.8% during that period.
The brief, Young Worker Trends, was authored by Matt Pezold, MU Extension field specialist in labor and workforce development, and Alan Spell, MU assistant extension professor.
“Despite this decline, Missouri youth continue to participate in the labor market at a rate above the national average,” Pezold and Spell write.
Employees under 25 make up 16% of Missouri’s private-sector workforce. They account for nearly four out of every 10 jobs in leisure and hospitality and one-quarter of jobs in retail. Restaurants alone employ one in four young workers in the state.
Young workers remain vital to key industries
Pezold and Spell observe that rural communities rely more heavily on younger workers than metro areas do: Young people account for 18.4% of private-sector employment in nonmetro counties, compared to 15.8% in metro areas. Rural manufacturers and construction firms, in particular, depend more on younger employees.
At the same time, more Missouri students are choosing work over college immediately after graduation. While most high school graduates still enroll in two- or four-year colleges, that share has gradually fallen since 2012. Last year, 30% of high school graduates in metro areas entered the civilian or military workforce shortly after graduation, up from 21% a decade earlier. In nonmetro areas, the share rose from 31% to 39%.
The shift reflects changing economic realities for many young adults. A strong job market and rising college costs have encouraged more graduates to begin earning paychecks right away, according to Pezold and Spell.
For employers, these trends present both an opportunity and a challenge. While more young people are entering the workforce after high school, a shrinking youth population means competition for workers is likely to remain intense.
Training and career paths can strengthen talent pipeline
The brief notes that many of today’s in-demand jobs require education or training beyond high school, even if they do not require a traditional four-year degree. Healthcare, maintenance and machinery are among the fields offering opportunities for workers who gain skills through certifications, apprenticeships or on-the-job training.
“While entry-level jobs remain plentiful, a shrinking youth population will make it increasingly important to upskill these workers and provide advancement opportunities,” the authors write. Partnerships between employers, schools and training providers can help young Missourians explore career paths while giving businesses a stronger talent pipeline.
The brief draws on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 five-year estimates, as well as data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The report, as well as past entries in the Missouri Economy Indicators series, is available at https://muext.us/MEI.
MU Extension is the link between the University of Missouri’s proven research, knowledge and resources and more than 6 million Missourians. With state and local partners, we deliver real-world solutions to address our state’s grand challenges around agriculture, economic opportunity, educational access and health and well-being. Faculty and staff in 114 counties and the city of St. Louis work to empower people, strengthen communities and develop leaders. True to our land-grant mission, we serve Missouri and deliver Mizzou as we improve lives and opportunities.