Extended Unemployment Periods Hit Long-Term Job Seekers in the U.S.

This summer, many Americans seeking employment are facing prolonged job searches, with the duration of unemployment extending for some individuals. According to the Wall Street Journal, those actively looking for work are experiencing tough conditions, especially among long-term unemployed individuals. The July jobs report revealed a notable increase in the number of people unemployed for 27 weeks or more, reaching over 1.8 million—the highest figure since 2017, excluding pandemic-related layoffs. Additionally, the median duration of unemployment has risen from 9.5 weeks in July 2024 to 10.2 weeks last month, indicating a trend of extended joblessness among job seekers.