True Rate of Unemployment

Out of the Population

The percentage of the whole U.S. population that is functionally unemployed.

In spite of a higher labor participation rate in August, many of these new workforce participants are finding themselves without full-time jobs paying a living wage.

True

Rate of Unemployment

Out of the Population

51.7

August 2023

Headline

Rate of Unemployment

Out of the Population

39.6

August 2023

vs.

Using data compiled by the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population tracks the percentage of the U.S. population (age 16 and older) that does not have a full-time job (35+ hours a week), or has a part-time job but wants more hours, and does not earn a living wage, which is conservatively pegged at $20,000 annually before taxes.

For a more in-depth explanation of the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population, please reference LISEP’s TRU white paper.

True

Rate of Unemployment

The True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) Out of the Population, as defined by LISEP, measures the percentage of the whole U.S. population that is functionally unemployed.

Additional Resources:

TRU Summary

TRU White Paper

TRU & TWE Methodology

TRU & TWE Source Data

True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population

vs. Headline Rate of Unemployment

51.7

True Rate

39.6

Headline Rate

Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.

True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population

By Race

52.6%

Black

49.5%

Hispanic

52.3%

White

Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.

True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population

By Sex

58.2%

Female

44.9%

Male

Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.

True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population

By Education

Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.

78.5%

No High School

57.2%

High School Diploma

52.2%

Some College

37.6%

Bachelors Degree

35.9%

Advanced Degree

Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.

True Rate of Unemployment

Out of the Population

The percentage of the whole U.S. population that is functionally unemployed.

In spite of a higher labor participation rate in August, many of these new workforce participants are finding themselves without full-time jobs paying a living wage.

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