Alaska Native Population and Manpower: 1978. A Research Brief.

The research brief and the 1978 study on which it is based provide a means for establishing the size and utilization of the Alaska Native Work Force, as well as estimates of the number of Native workers available regularly or periodically to the Statewide Work Force. Because official data sources conflict, means developed between highest and lowest population estimates yield a statistical foundation for Native/non-Native population-work force comparisons for 1978 and 1980. Sources indicate that the Alaska Native population will increase substantially throughout the next decade due to a sustained high birth rate. The Native population, estimated to be 74,873 by 1980, will maintain a young median age. The Native Work Force will be 28.5% of the Native population, substantially larger than in 1970. It will continue to grow at an annual rate of 1.5%, partially due to significantly larger numbers of women. Although legislation has increased demands for Native labor, only 20% to 22% of the Native Work Force will be available to the Statewide Work Force, the rest being essential to household and village maintenance and survival. This study verifies conclusions of a similar 1975 study, except that predicted general population growth did not materialize. (SB)