Hidden Unemployment

Hidden unemployment refers to individuals who are not counted in official unemployment statistics, despite being unemployed or underemployed. This includes people who have stopped actively looking for work because they believe no jobs are available, or workers who are underemployed, meaning they are overqualified for their current positions or working fewer hours than they desire. As a result, hidden unemployment provides a broader picture of economic health and labor market challenges, as it captures those not reflected in traditional unemployment rates. Understanding this concept helps assess the true state of job availability and workforce engagement.