Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce highlighted on Apr. 17 the growing workforce and demographic challenges facing the state, calling for policy changes to retain and attract workers.
The organization said that Wisconsin’s aging population, declining youth numbers, and falling labor force participation rates are threatening the state’s economic outlook. “Our state is falling behind, and our demographic and workforce trends pose a threat to our future. These forces are reshaping the state’s workforce, economy, and long term outlook,” Rachel Ver Velde wrote in a statement from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
According to data presented by the group, Wisconsin’s median age is now 40.7 years—over a year older than the national average—and residents aged 65 or older make up nearly one-fifth of the population. The state lost about 40,000 residents under age 18 between 2020 and 2024; projections suggest this number could reach a loss of nearly 95,000 young people by decade’s end. Labor force participation has also declined since its peak in 1997; last year it dropped below 65 percent—a record low even compared to April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ver Velde said that current public assistance programs do not encourage employment as intended: “Wisconsin’s public assistance programs…are currently structured to incentivize perpetual unemployment.” She criticized inconsistent enforcement of work requirements for FoodShare recipients and pointed out recent proposals from Governor Tony Evers that would remove or relax work-related eligibility standards for benefits such as FoodShare and unemployment insurance.
To address these issues, Ver Velde called for stronger enforcement of existing requirements: “Wisconsin should enforce existing work requirements for FoodShare and unemployment benefits…Unemployment benefits should be better aligned with labor market conditions.” She also recommended increasing opportunities for career advancement through education initiatives like Career Technical Education programming in schools.
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce promotes economic growth across sectors by supporting employers throughout the state according to its official website. The organization represents more than 3,800 member companies across various sectors statewide. It aims to position Wisconsin as a competitive business environment through advocacy efforts focused on economic development policies and workforce training. Its executive team includes business leaders serving on an active board of directors according to WMC.
Ver Velde concluded that addressing these challenges requires immediate action: “Wisconsin’s workforce crisis is real, measurable, and solvable — but only if policymakers choose incentives that reward work and skill building.”
