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unemployment

Written and fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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(CBC)It's even harder for young people to find jobs, and the unemployment rate proves it
(AP)Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits dip to 210,000, another sign the job market is strong

unemployment, the condition of one who is capable of working, actively seeking work, but unable to find any work. It is important to note that to be considered unemployed a person must be an active member of the labour force and in search of remunerative work.

Underemployment is the term used to designate the situation of those who are able to find employment only for shorter than normal periods—part-time workers, seasonal workers, or day or casual workers. The term may also describe the condition of workers whose education or training make them overqualified for their jobs.

Statistics on unemployment are collected and analyzed by government labour offices in most countries and have come to be considered a chief indicator of economic health. Trends in unemployment and statistical differences among groups in the population are studied for what they may reveal of general economic trends and as bases for possible governmental action. Full employment has been a stated goal of many governments since World War II, and a variety of programs have been devised to attain it. It should be pointed out that full employment is not necessarily synonymous with a zero unemployment rate, for at any given time the unemployment rate will include some number of persons who are between jobs and not unemployed in any long-term sense.