The Declining Number of Farmers: a Temporary Slowdown? - The decrease in the farm labor force is a long-term phenomenon. However, since 1975 this trend has been slowing down. The age pattern of farmers is largely responsable for this slowdown, for the relation between outgoing and incoming generations of farmers has altered; although the number of those entering farming is quite small, the figure for those leaving is even smaller. If this trend continues, the 1968-1975 rate of decrease of — 5.5 % per year would fall to a yearly rate of — 4.0 % for the 1975-1982 period and to —5.0 % for the 1982-1989 period, which would constitute a major demographic trend. Nevertheless, changes in the behavior of those entering or leaving farming could effe...