Center for American Progress Center for American Progress
Issues Economy Labor Market

Labor Market Not Looking too Cheery, to Say the Least

It’s no secret that the United States is currently in a very painful recession and the worst “in post World War II history in terms of total job losses, the total number of unemployed workers, and the rapid pace of the contraction.” Home values have plummeted, GDP growth has turned negative, and the economy has shed jobs at an alarming rate. Feel like it is a tough job market out there? You’re not alone.

The United States has lost a staggering 5.1 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007. What’s more, nearly two-thirds of those losses–3.3 million–have taken place since just this past November. In March, the overall national unemployment rate hit its highest level in a quarter of a century–8.5 percent–up from 8.1 percent in February and from 4.4 percent in December 2007.

Read more here.

This article was originally published in Qvisory.

To speak with our experts on this topic, please contact:

Print: Suzi Emmerling (foreign policy and security, energy, education, immigration)
202.481.8224 or semmerling@americanprogress.org

Print: Jason Rahlan (health care, economy, civil rights, poverty)
202.481.8132 or jrahlan@americanprogress.org

Radio: John Neurohr
202.481.8182 or jneurohr@americanprogress.org

TV: Andrea Purse
202.741.6250 or apurse@americanprogress.org

Web: Erin Lindsay
202.741.6397 or elindsay@americanprogress.org

Subscribe to RSS Feeds

RSS IconSite-Wide and Issue-Specific RSS Feeds

Related Articles

A Job Saved Is as Good as a Job Created, by Heather Boushey

National Service and Youth Unemployment, by Melissa Boteach, Joy Moses, Shirley Sagawa

Unemployment Rises Above 10 Percent for the First Time in 26 Years, by Heather Boushey

Working Hard for Progressive Change

Extending Help to the Unemployed, by Alexandra Cawthorne, Melissa Boteach

Also by Amanda Logan

Leveling the Playing Field, September 23, 2009

States Will Drag on Economic Growth and Job Recovery, September 21, 2009

Less Spending on Gas and Cars Means More Money in the Bank—For Now, August 6, 2009