* As defined by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP)
Headline
Rate of Unemployment
Out of the Population*
42.7%
November 2020
* As defined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What is the “True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population”?
The True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population, as defined by the Ludwig Institute of Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP), measures the percentage of the whole U.S. population that is functionally unemployed.
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 this white paper.
True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population
1995-2020
Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
1995
True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population by Race
Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.
58.0%
Black
November 2020
54.8%
Hispanic
November 2020
54.1%
White
November 2020
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
1995
True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population by Sex
Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month.
61.2%
Female
November 2020
47.0%
Male
November 2020
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
1995
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.
79.6%
No High School
November 2020
60.6%
High School Diploma
November 2020
47.1%
Some College
November 2020
41.0%
Bachelors Degree
November 2020
36.7%
Advanced Degree
November 2020
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
1995
True Rate of Unemployment by State
August 2020
Select any state or percentage to see the most recent True Rate of Unemployment.
