In 2009, The Wall Street Journal observed that workers are fleeing forced-unionism states for better job opportunities with their Right to Work neighbors. Now, a study of U.S. Census Bureau statistics from the National Institute for Labor Relations Research indicates that young workers – a demographic that drives economic growth – overwhelmingly favor Right to Work states to further their career prospects:

Twenty-two states currently have Right to Work laws on the books.3 Unless a state has a Right to Work law, federal law authorizes the imposition of forced union dues and fees on its private-sector employees.

In the 17 non-Western Right to Work states, the aggregate 25-34 year-old population increased from 12.965 million to 14.602 million, or 12.7%, over the past decade. Meanwhile, in the 20 non- Western forced-unionism states, the aggregate 25-34 year-old population fell from 16.807 million to 16.036 million, or 4.6%. Western Right to Work states’ total young-adult population grew by 47.0%, compared to Western non-Right to Work states’ 8.3% increase. Even excluding slow-growth California,Western forced-unionism states’ increase was barely more than half that of Western Right to Work states.

In the midst of a prolonged recession, the Institute’s findings also indicate that the success of Right to Work states provides a critical economic safety valve. By encouraging the creation of more jobs, Right to Work protections provide career opportunities for young employees that otherwise might not have existed.

The case for Right to Work has always rested on the importance of safeguarding individual workers’ rights, but the economic benefits of protecting worker freedom are also self-evident. It’s one more reason why states across the country are now considering Right to Work laws.