• The share of long-term unemployed Americans rose to 24.3% in November, up from 23.6% in September, highlighting persistent job search frustrations.
  • Overall unemployment held steady at 4.6%, with 7.8 million unemployed, but disparities widened for teenagers and Black workers.
  • Federal government job losses and a surge in part-time employment for economic reasons signal underlying economic pressures amid stable labor force metrics.

Americans have been grumbling about frustrating job searches, and the trend worsened once more in November, per the Labor Department's latest jobs report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on December 16, 2025, that the overall unemployment rate held steady at 4.6% in November 2025, with 7.8 million unemployed—higher than November 2024's 4.2% rate and 7.1 million—while the share of long-term unemployed (jobless 27 weeks or more) rose to 24.3% from 23.6% in September, confirming the headline trend amid ongoing job search frustrations.

Efforts to stabilize the labor market have hit a snag, as long-term unemployment now comprises nearly a quarter of the jobless, with 1.9 million Americans in this category. This uptick from 23.1% a year ago reflects deeper structural issues, according to people familiar with the matter. In November, 24.3% of the unemployed had been hunting for a job for at least 6 months, up from 23.6% in September. In November 2024, the figure was 23.1%.

While the labor force participation rate (62.5%) and employment-population ratio (59.6%) remained stable month-over-month, they showed no yearly improvement, suggesting a lack of momentum. Employment grew in health care and construction, adding 28,000 jobs, but federal government jobs continued declining, potentially tied to ongoing shutdown effects that halted October data collection. This influences Fed decisions, as September's 4.4% rate was the last pre-December meeting figure.

Part-time employment for economic reasons surged by 909,000 to 5.5 million, signaling underemployment pressures that could dampen wage growth and consumer spending if trends persist. Broader U-6 unemployment, which includes discouraged workers and part-timers, eased slightly earlier to 8.0% in September, but the long-term unemployment rate was 1.06% in September, down from 1.13% prior.

Disparities persist across demographic groups, with teenagers facing the sharpest rise at 16.3% unemployment, up from September, and Blacks at 8.3%, Hispanics at 5.0%, versus Whites at 3.9% and Asians at 3.6%. Short-term unemployed rose by 316,000 to 2.5 million, adding to the frustration for extended searchers. Social assistance added 18,000 jobs, but transportation and warehousing lost 18,000, with construction stable over 12 months.

Trading Economics forecasts unemployment at 4.5% by quarter-end, trending to 4.5% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027, based on macro models. Without a deal to address federal job losses and underemployment, the economy could face prolonged headwinds. Attempts to reach BLS officials for further comment were unsuccessful, but the data underscores a cautious outlook for policymakers navigating these shifts.