HispanicBusiness

Year Percentage 1978 4.9% 1979 5.0% 1980 5.7% 1981 6.0% 1982 6.1% 1983 6.3% 1984 6.6% 1985 6.7% 1986 6.9% 1987 7.1% 1988 7.4% 1989 7.5% 1990 8.5% 1991 8.6% 1992 8.9% 1993 9.0% 1994 9.1% 1995 9.3% 1996 9.5% 1997 10.1% 1998 10.4% 1999 10.5% 2000 11.7% 2001 12.1% 2002 12.4% 2003 11.9% 2004 12.2% 2005 12.4% 2006 12.7% 2007 13.0% 2008 13.3% 2009 13.6% 2010 14.10% 2011 14.40% 2012 14.60% 2013 14.90% 2014 15.20% 2015 15.50% 2020 16.90% 2025 18.50% 2030 19.90% Source: HispanTelligence projections based on U.S. Census Bureau 2002 figures.



Population growth means Hispanics will exert more impact on future labor markets. Between 1982 and 2002, the total U.S. labor force increased by 31 percent, or 35 million workers; Hispanics contributed 11 million people to that growth figure. Continued growth for the next quarter century will make Hispanics nearly one-fifth of the U.S. work force (see table) and the major replacement factor for the retiring baby-boom generation.

Occupational structure will shift toward managerial, professional, and service jobs and away from manual labor. While numerical projections about the future labor force lack certainty – many current job titles didn't exist 25 years ago – the trend toward managerial posts is clear from a comparison of 1983 and 2001 data. Currently, management and professional occupations are the fastest-growing job categories for Hispanics.