AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) One of the nation’s oldest states expects to only add 94 net new jobs through 2016.
A July Maine Department of Labor report found one contributing factor is the decline in births that northern New England states saw during the 1990s.
Maine has had more deaths than births in recent years.
Maine increasingly depends on in-migration from other states. Maine’s prime working age population will continue to shrink as more Mainers retire.
A tight labor market is driving average wages up. The report says Maine must encourage young people to move and stay in Maine.
Maine is expected to see about 7,700 fewer sales, office and administrative support positions through 2026. Meanwhile, the state could see about 7,110 more healthcare and personal care jobs in that period.
