Over the past few decades, the United States has seen a precipitous drop in the labor force participation rate. Surprisingly, this trend is most pronounced for young men ages 20–24. The labor participation rate for this group fell by almost 10% between 1996–2016. That’s a larger reduction in hours than any other demographic, male or female. At this point only 73% of those age 20–24 are even trying to find work.