Lots of women left the workforce early in the pandemic. At the time, there were fears these women would stay out of the workforce for years, if they returned at all. But women's participation in the labor force, between the ages of 25 and 54, is at an all time high. Check out more of <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/07/05/1185723117/working-women-jobs-workforce-pandemic-economy-employers-labor">NPR's Scott Horsley's reporting on women's return to the workforce</a>. And listen back to our previous episodes about <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/10/20/925944351/why-women-are-leaving-the-workforce">women leaving the workforce in 2020</a> and <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/06/09/1004892039/women-work-and-the-pandemic">why many women didn't immediately return</a>. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at <a href="http://plus.npr.org/">plus.npr.org</a>. Music by <a href="https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/">Drop Electric</a>. Find us: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money">Newsletter</a>. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Hiking the last mile on inflation

A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.