True Rate of Unemployment

Out of the Population

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

The percentage of Black workers in the labor market with living-wage jobs is at an all-time high. But the improvement in April may be less about getting better jobs and more about workers dropping out of the job market.

True

Rate of Unemployment

Out of the Population

51.7

April 2023

Headline

Rate of Unemployment

Out of the Population

39.6

April 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

52.2%

Black

50.8%

Hispanic

52.1%

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

58.6%

Female

44.5%

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.

79.4%

No High School

56.7%

High School Diploma

53.4%

Some College

37.4%

Bachelors Degree

35.2%

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.

The percentage of Black workers in the labor market with living-wage jobs is at an all-time high. But the improvement in April may be less about getting better jobs and more about workers dropping out of the job market.

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