--- title: Weaker labor market for mothers of young children description: Child-care gaps cost the U.S. economy $172 billion annually, affecting workforce participation, productivity, and tax revenues. Learn about the economic impact and potential policy solutions. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Weaker%20Labor%20Market%20(2).png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data) # Weaker labor market for mothers of young children [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EWeaker+labor+market+for+mothers+of+young+children%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/smccr-weaker-labor-market-for-mothers-of-young-children) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/smccr-weaker-labor-market-for-mothers-of-young-children) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/smccr-weaker-labor-market-for-mothers-of-young-children) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Weaker%20Labor%20Market%20(2).png) Summary: Weaker labor market for mothers of young children with uneven industry shifts *Matthew Nestler, PhD, Senior Economist at KPMG June 24, 2026* Key Takeaway: The labor market has weakened for mothers of young children since late 2023, even though overall prime-age women’s labor force participation remains near record highs. The strain is most pronounced among college-educated mothers, who are working and participating at lower rates, while unemployment has increased. What the data show - College-educated mothers have experienced the sharpest decline. Since late 2023, employment and labor force participation have fallen while unemployment has risen, indicating that many remain attached to the labor market but are not finding work - Industry shifts are uneven. BA+ mothers have lost ground in healthcare and social assistance and educational services, while seeing gains in public administration and leisure and hospitality. - Mothers without a BA are also facing weaker conditions. Their employment losses are concentrated in retail, educational services, and professional and business services, with gains in healthcare and construction. Why it matters: The healthcare sector highlights a broader labor market shift. Employment in healthcare and social assistance has declined for college-educated mothers but increased for mothers without a BA, aligning with growth in lower-paying roles such as home health and personal care aides. This suggests that headline job growth may mask changes in job quality, pay, and career pathways. Bottom line: Strong aggregate labor market indicators can obscure meaningful strain for parents with young children. For employers, policymakers, and workforce planners, the priority is not only creating jobs but designing roles that align with caregiving responsibilities, predictable scheduling needs, adequate compensation, and opportunities for advancement. Read the full article: [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/weaker-labor-market-mothers-young-children-uneven-nestler-phd-q6gqc/](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/weaker-labor-market-mothers-young-children-uneven-nestler-phd-q6gqc/) --- The data you need when you need it. 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