The US employment ratio in August 2015 was at 59.4% — the same level as the recession trough in June 2009 and not previously recorded since March 1981. Meanwhile the labour force participation rate in August at 62.6% was 3.1% lower than in June 2009 and until June 2015 when it was also at 62.6%, the low level had not been seen since early 1978 when increasing numbers of married women began joining the workforce.