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Unemployed Americans endure longer job searches in a cooling market

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The number of long-term unemployed Americans — those jobless for 27 weeks or more—has climbed above 1.8 million, the highest level since 2017 (excluding the pandemic)
The median duration of unemployment has also increased to 10.2 weeks, signaling a cooling U.S. labor market that is hitting older workers and mid-career professionals especially hard

🔭 The context: While overall unemployment remains relatively low, the persistence of long-term joblessness reveals deeper structural issues in the economy
Slowing business investment, rising interest rates, and caution around new hiring have all contributed to fewer opportunities, particularly in sectors that surged during the pandemic recovery
Analysts also point to skills mismatches and regional disparities in job availability

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Sustained unemployment strains both social safety nets and public sentiment, which can reduce support for large-scale climate and sustainability investments
A healthy labor market is critical to advancing the green transition, as sectors like clean energy and infrastructure rely on a steady pipeline of skilled labor
Without inclusive economic growth, climate goals risk being deprioritized amid voter concerns about job security

⏭️ What's next: Policymakers may face increasing pressure to reintroduce job support measures or reskill programs ahead of the 2026 elections
Economists warn that without targeted labor market interventions, the number of long-term unemployed could continue to rise even if headline employment remains stable
The U.S. Department of Labor is expected to outline updated workforce development plans later this quarter

💬 One quote: “I’m considering myself semiretired at this point,” said a 61-year-old marketing professional in Atlanta who has been unemployed for nearly a year despite dozens of applications

📈 One stat: The number of Americans unemployed for 27 weeks or more has surpassed 1.8 million, marking the highest level in over 8 years outside the COVID-19 pandemic

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illuminem's editorial team, providing you with concise summaries of the most important sustainability news of the day. Follow us on Linkedin, Twitter​ & Instagram

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