Working mothers are leaving their jobs at higher rates this year, erasing much of the progress made since the pandemic. New federal data shows the trend is accelerating.
From January to June, the share of mothers aged 25 to 44 with children under five fell nearly three percentage points. This marks the lowest level in more than three years, according to labor economists.
Misty Heggeness, a professor at the University of Kansas and former Census Bureau economist, analyzed the data. She called the drop “sharp and concerning” given how much mothers drove the job recovery.
The decline comes as more companies order staff back to offices, reducing flexibility for parents. Recent government layoffs have also hit women, particularly in education and social service roles.
For many families, the cost of child care has added to the pressure. Some parents say they cannot balance rising child care bills with rigid work schedules and long commutes.
Emily Santoni, 39, left her high-paying chief marketing officer role this year to stay home with her one- and three-year-old children. “It wasn’t an easy choice, but it felt necessary,” she said.
Experts say the trend could slow overall economic growth if more mothers leave the labor force. Working mothers have been key to filling jobs in retail, health care, and education since 2021.
Some policymakers are urging expanded child care subsidies and more flexible work rules. They warn that without change, more women may step away from paid work.
Heggeness said the losses “are not just about individual families” but also about the workforce. She noted that reversing the trend will require support at both the policy and employer levels.
