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.
OVERVIEW
True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population
1995-2021
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
By RACE
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.
58.5%
Black
March 2021
53.6%
Hispanic
March 2021
53.2%
White
March 2021
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
1995
By SEX
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.
60.5%
Female
March 2021
46.2%
Male
March 2021
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
1995
By EDUCATION
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.
78.0%
No High School
March 2021
60.3%
High School Diploma
March 2021
56.3%
Some College
March 2021
38.8%
Bachelors Degree
March 2021
35.8%
Advanced Degree
March 2021
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.
