Unemployment Duration

Unemployment duration — the length of time spent unemployed — tells us something about how difficult it is for out of work persons to reenter the world of employment. As of December 2023, the average length of unemployment was 22.3 weeks.

Average and Median Unemployment Duration

This is simply the average and median duration of unemployment for workers. The definition of unemployment for each is the same as the standard headline unemployment (i.e. U-3).

Unemployment Duration: Average, Median

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Percent of Unemployed by Duration of Unemployment

These two metrics help us divide the unemployed into groups that have been unemployed for short and long periods. An increasing fraction unemployed persons who have been looking for work for more than 15 weeks (roughly 3.5 months) is generally regarded as a sign of a more difficult labor market.

Fraction of Unemployed by Duration of Unemployment: Under 15 Weeks, 15+ Weeks

Percent of Unemployed by Duration of Unemployment (More Granular)

This is the same metric as above just divided into more granular segments.

Fraction of Unemployed by Duration of Unemployment: Under 5 Weeks, 5-14 Weeks, 15-26 Weeks, 27+ Weeks

Note: Sorry, those last two charts should really be area charts. It's on the todo list...