OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING: Nearly two in five workers can’t do their jobs without government approval.

In the early 1950′s, less than 5 percent of the workforce required state licenses (federal and local data were unavailable then). But by the 1980s, that number grew to almost 18 percent—higher still if you include federal, city and county licensing. Today, 29 percent of workers said they needed a government license to do their job. Throw in those who needed a certification or said they would eventually need some form of government approval and the share grows to 38 percent.

Related: License to Work.