The U.S. labor force participation rate fell to 61.5% in June 2026, marking the lowest level outside the COVID-19 period in approximately fifty years. The labor force participation rate measures the percentage of the civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and older that is either employed or actively seeking employment.

Although the unemployment rate declined to 4.2%, the lower unemployment rate reflected fewer people participating in the labor market rather than stronger hiring. Approximately 720,000 individuals left the labor force during the month of June, reducing both the number of employed workers and the number counted as unemployed because they were no longer actively looking for work.

Workforce participation has been dropping steadily in the United States for decades, and low labor force participation can cause a host of social and economic problems. Fewer workers mean fewer taxpayers, which can cause a decrease in government revenue. More people on welfare programs means those programs’ payouts increase at the same time government revenue may be dropping. For working age adults neither employed, in school, or looking for work, numerous studies have found links to increased rates of drug use, chronic illnesses, and even violent behavior…

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The data was collected through the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey conducted jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The CPS surveys approximately 60,000 households each month using scientifically selected probability sampling to produce estimates representative of the U.S. civilian population. Survey respondents are classified as employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force based on standardized questions about their work activity and job search during the reference week.

Individuals who have not actively searched for work during the previous four weeks are classified as ‘not in the labor force,’ even if they would like a job. The BLS seasonally adjusts the data to account for predictable monthly fluctuations before publishing the monthly Employment Situation report.

Demographic changes likely play a key role in the low labor force participation rate. As more people from the baby-boom generation reach retirement age, millions of them are leaving the workforce permanently. BLS research indicates that retirement accounts for nearly three-fourths of the increase in labor force nonparticipation since 1999. Recent data also show declining participation among workers aged 55 and older, many of whom accumulated sufficient wealth to retire or chose not to adapt to changing workplace technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Other structural factors have also reduced labor force participation. Higher school enrollment has kept more young adults out of the labor market. Increases in disability, chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities, and other personal circumstances have contributed to more adults remaining outside the workforce. Additionally, slower immigration has reduced growth in the working-age population, limiting labor force expansion.

Short-term economic conditions also played a role in June’s decline. Job growth slowed considerably, with employers adding only 57,000 jobs, well below economists’ expectations. Some economists believe part of the sharp one-month drop may reflect statistical volatility in household survey estimates rather than a permanent change. However, if participation does not rebound in future reports, it could indicate weakening labor demand and discourage workers from continuing their job searches.

While retirements remain the primary structural cause, reduced immigration, increased school attendance, health-related absences, caregiving responsibilities, and slower hiring have all contributed to fewer Americans participating in the labor market. If the labor force participation rate continues to drop, eventually it will reach a point where retirement programs will not have enough workers paying into them to be sustainable, and the same will be true for welfare programs. 

*Disclaimer: Energy Exploration Technologies, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”, and “EnergyX” is conducting an offering of securities pursuant to Regulation A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. An offering statement covering this offering has been qualified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Neither this communication nor any of its content constitutes an offer to sell, solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation for any of our securities by our company or any third party. Offers and sales of the securities are being made solely by means of the qualified offering circular. Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before investing, you should consult with your financial advisor, accountant, and/or attorney legal, and carefully review the qualified offering circular (including the “Risk Factors” section) and any offering circular supplements.

The most recent qualified offering circular is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1830166/000149315226017123/form253g2.htm. The most recent qualified offering circular and any supplements can also be found on the SEC’s EDGAR filing database, available at www.sec.gov/edgar/search/. Prospective investors should note that neither the SEC nor any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority has approved or recommended our securities or determined that our offering circular is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful. We are not a broker-dealer or investment adviser registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. No communication made by us or any of our affiliates, through this communication or any other medium, should be construed as a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold any securities, or as investment, tax, financial, accounting, legal, regulatory, or compliance advice. Neither this communication nor any of its content constitutes an offer to sell, solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation for any of our securities by our company or any third party. The content presented here is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to solicit the purchase of securities or to be used as investment, legal or tax advice. Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information presented herein may include forward-looking statements, estimates, or projections regarding our anticipated future performance. If present, these statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “future” or “continue”, the negative of these terms, and other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and expectations and are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, estimates and projections, if any, are based upon various assumptions made concerning our anticipated results and industry trends, which may or may not occur. We are not making any representations as to the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements, estimates or projections. Our actual performance may be materially different from any such statements, estimates or projections. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results or revised expectations.