Board of Directors William H. Dunlap, Chair David Alukonis Eric Herr Dianne Mercier James Putnam Todd I. Selig Michael Whitney Daniel Wolf Martin L. Gross, Chair Emeritus Directors Emeritus Sheila T. Francoeur Stuart V. Smith, Jr. Donna Sytek Brian F. Walsh Kimon S. Zachos “…to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire’s future.” NH’s Workforce Presentation to NHCBE April 26, 2014
The Workforce is Projected to Decline
Size of Labor Force Working-Age Population (Age 20-64) Assuming no migration the working- age population in New Hampshire will decline nearly 10% in the state. The northern rural counties will see larger declines. Carroll County sees the biggest declines. % Change US1.0% NH-9.7% Strafford-2.4% Hillsborough-5.5% Cheshire-8.9% Merrimack-10.2% Grafton-11.2% Rockingham-12.3% Sullivan-14.7% Belknap-16.3% Coos-20.0% Carroll-24.4% Source: Daniel Lee, Plymouth State University
Only three states are less diverse than NH
But much of the growth in the labor force nationally is Hispanic
Poverty Rates are Growing More Quickly in New Hampshire than in the US
And particularly quickly for those under 18
There is a geography to poverty in NH
With Hillsborough County experiencing almost a 100% increase in child poverty
If our economy requires an educated workforce do …. We need to do a better job educating our own to support economic activity; Ensure that we are a place that a diverse group of Millenials want to go to and stay; Continue to be a business friendly place; Target our economic development activities to where we have a competitive advantage (build and support a cluster); Recognize regional variation in economic ecology.
New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies Want to learn more? Online: nhpolicy.org Facebook: facebook.com/nhpolicy Our blog: policyblognh.org (603) “…to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire’s future.” Board of Directors William H. Dunlap, Chair David Alukonis Eric Herr Dianne Mercier James Putnam Todd I. Selig Michael Whitney Daniel Wolf Martin L. Gross, Chair Emeritus Directors Emeritus Sheila T. Francoeur Stuart V. Smith, Jr. Donna Sytek Brian F. Walsh Kimon S. Zachos