# Question about IND1990 for not in the labor force **URL:** \ **Category:** USA\ **Created:** [September 21, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/question-about-ind1990-for-not-in-the-labor-force/2567 "2018-09-21T23:10:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anniejerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@anniejerry](https://forum.ipums.org/u/anniejerry)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/question-about-ind1990-for-not-in-the-labor-force/2567/1 "2018-09-21T23:10:00Z")
Hi, I have a question about IPUMS USA data. When I look at those workers not in the labor force, why there is still information about their industry. Is this information of industry reliable? Is this referring to their last working industry, I mean the industry where they are before leaving the labor market? Thank you ---
**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/question-about-ind1990-for-not-in-the-labor-force/2567/2 "2018-09-25T16:19:00Z")
The industry information is reliable. Note that the Universe for the [IND1990](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/IND1990#universe_section) (in the ACS samples) is “persons age 16+ who had worked within the previous five years, not new workers.” So, if an individual had worked within the last five years, then the industry code represents this job. Importantly for your question, note that even workers who are currently not in the labor force are included in the industry variable if they meet the universe criteria. ---
**Author:** ![anniejerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@anniejerry](https://forum.ipums.org/u/anniejerry)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/question-about-ind1990-for-not-in-the-labor-force/2567/3 "2018-09-26T15:44:00Z")
Hi Thanks for replying me. Then my question is the IND1990 represents for the past five year’s industry where the person (not in the labor force) work, or the latest one. I am looking for a variable can best reflect the industry the person stays before he becomes unemployed or leaves the job market. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/question-about-ind1990-for-not-in-the-labor-force/2567/4 "2018-09-27T16:20:00Z")
As long as I am understanding what you are trying to identify correctly, then the [IND](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/IND#description_section) variables (including [IND1990](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/IND1990#universe_section)) should give you the information you are looking for. ---
**Author:** ![anniejerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@anniejerry](https://forum.ipums.org/u/anniejerry)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/question-about-ind1990-for-not-in-the-labor-force/2567/5 "2018-09-27T16:22:00Z")
Hi Jeff So you mean the ind1990 refers to the last year where the individual is employed before he leaves the job market or get unemployed? Thank you ---
**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/question-about-ind1990-for-not-in-the-labor-force/2567/6 "2018-09-27T16:33:00Z")
Yes, but only if that person is 16 year or older and has worked within the last five years.