Skyrocketing Rates: Why More Americans Are Struggling with Long-Term Unemployment and What It Means for You

New York — Emily Groveman, a 41-year-old woman, spends her time volunteering at an animal shelter in New York City. When she’s not doing that, she’s searching for a job from her small apartment. “It’s been incredibly tough,” she shared. “I’ve been at it for almost two years.”

For nearly ten years, Emily worked in hospitality connected to the NBA, handling everything from tickets to meet-and-greets. She later led a team at a digital marketing firm for six years but left in 2023, only to struggle to find another position since then. Despite her efforts—from reaching out to friends to posting resume reels on LinkedIn—nothing has panned out. “The job market has been brutal,” she lamented.

One time, she went through 13 interviews for a single job, only to get passed over for another candidate. “I can’t keep doing this,” she admitted, feeling the weight of repeated rejections.

As the bills piled up, Emily started drawing from her 401(k). “Since March, I’ve been living off it,” she revealed. Recent data shows that nearly 2 million Americans were experiencing long-term unemployment as of August, defined as being out of work for at least 27 weeks. This number is the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2022.

Labor economist Teresa Ghilarducci identifies economic uncertainty as a key factor worsening long-term unemployment. She notes, “The primary reason we see these numbers rising is due to uncertainty from the government.” This uncertainty has intensified due to the ongoing threat of a government shutdown and tariffs imposed during the previous administration. In early September, over 263,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits, the highest level since October 2021.

Looking ahead, Ghilarducci warns, “The job market is unlikely to improve anytime soon. If you’re looking for a job now, it’ll be tougher with more candidates for each position and businesses hesitant to hire.”

Faced with these challenges, Emily has decided to shift her focus. In December, she plans to move to a Buddhist temple in upstate New York, where she’ll get free housing in exchange for work at a retreat center.

“If you’re able to work, you should be able to find a job,” she said, reflecting on her beliefs about the American dream. “You work hard, and you’re rewarded. But that’s not happening anymore.”

In a climate where long-term unemployment is affecting millions, it’s clear that economic stability is elusive. With the changing job landscape and more people competing for fewer roles, individuals like Emily are navigating a challenging path. As we witness shifts in the economy, their stories highlight the resilience many show in the face of uncertainty.

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