Federal Reserve Economic Data
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) is a powerful online database maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. It offers free access to over 800,000 economic data series, including key indicators like GDP, inflation, interest rates, unemployment, and more. Used by economists, financial professionals, and researchers, FRED makes it easy to track and visualize real-time economic trends that impact markets, retirement planning, and investment decisions.
Whether you’re analyzing historical trends or staying informed about the latest economic updates, FRED is a trusted source for accurate, up-to-date economic data
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Federal Reserve Economic Charts
Labor Force Participation Rate
(CIVPART)
U.S. Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate
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Notes
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Release: Employment Situation
Units:
Frequency:
Notes:
The series comes from the ‘Current Population Survey (Household Survey)’
The source code is: LNS11300000
The Labor Force Participation Rate is defined by the Current Population Survey (CPS) as “the number of people in the labor force as a percentage of the civilian noninstitutional population […] the participation rate is the percentage of the population that is either working or actively looking for work.”
The Labor Force Participation Rate is collected in the CPS and published by the BLS. It is provided on a monthly basis, so this data is used in part by macroeconomists as an initial economic indicator of current labor market trends. The labor force participation rate helps government agencies, financial markets, and researchers gauge the overall health of the economy.
Note that long-run changes in labor force participation may reflect secular economic trends that are unrelated to the overall health of the economy. For instance, demographic changes such as the aging of population can lead to a secular increase of exits from the labor force, shrinking the labor force and decreasing the labor force participation rate.
For more information, see:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CES Overview
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Concepts and Definitions (CPS)
Suggested Citation:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Force Participation Rate [CIVPART], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CIVPART, August 7, 2025.
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) – FAQ
What is FRED?
FRED is a free online database maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. It offers access to over 800,000 economic data series, including inflation, interest rates, GDP, unemployment, and more.
Where does FRED get its data?
FRED pulls data from credible sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Census Bureau, Federal Reserve, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and more.
How often is FRED updated?
FRED updates data daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly depending on the specific dataset and source agency.
Why is FRED useful for retirement and financial planning?
FRED helps you track economic trends like inflation, interest rates, and market movements: all of which affect retirement income, investment decisions, and financial strategies.
How far back does FRED data go?
Many data series in FRED go back several decades, some even to the 1800’s, making it valuable for long-term historical analysis.
Is FRED affiliated with the IRS or other government agencies?
No. FRED is maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and aggregates data from various trusted sources, but it does not provide tax or legal guidance.
How can I learn to use FRED more effectively?
The St. Louis Fed offers free tutorials, guides, and videos to help users learn how to navigate FRED, build charts, and interpret data.
