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
1995-2022
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.
53.3%
Black
December 2022
51.1%
Hispanic
December 2022
52.0%
White
December 2022
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.
58.9%
Female
December 2022
44.2%
Male
December 2022
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.
80.8%
No High School
December 2022
57.0%
High School Diploma
December 2022
53.0%
Some College
December 2022
37.1%
Bachelors Degree
December 2022
34.9%
Advanced Degree
December 2022
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.
