An estimated 30.2 million persons joined the labor force in July 1997, increasing by 497 thousand or 1.7 percent over 29.7 million last year. However, the corresponding labor force participation rate dropped from 66.3 percent to 65.7 percent.

The labor force population of the country in January 1998 reached 30.2 million, higher by 608 thousand or 2.1 percent over the January 1997 estimate. However, the corresponding labor force participation rate dropped from 65.4 percent in January 1997 to 65.0 percent this year.