True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population The percentage of the whole U.S. population that is functionally unemployed. Functional unemployment increased 0.2 percentage points in September, to 24.9%. Using data compiled by the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population tracks the percentage of the U.S. population (age 16 and older) that does not have a full-time job (35+ hours a week), or has a part-time job but wants more hours, and does not earn a living wage, which is conservatively pegged at $26,000 (in 2025 dollars) annually before taxes. For a more in-depth explanation of the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population, please reference LISEP’s TRU white paper True Rate of Unemployment The True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) Out of the Population, as de ined by LISEP, measures the percentage of the whole U.S. population that is functionally unemployed. Additional Resources: True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population vs. Headline Rate of Unemployment 52.9% True Rate 40.3% Headline Rate Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month. 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% True Rate Headline Rate 2020 2000 2010 2015 2005 1995 True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population By Race 54.5% Black 51.8% Hispanic 53.3% White Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month. 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% Black Hispanic White 2020 2000 2010 2015 2005 1995 True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population By Sex 59.6% Female 46.0% Male Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month. 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% Female Male 2020 2000 2010 2015 2005 1995 True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population Read more TRU White Paper TRU & TWE Methodology TRU & TWE Source Data Join the LISEP mailing list True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population 52.9 September 2025 Headline Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population 40.3 September 2025 % % vs. M E N U By Education Select any point on the chart to see the True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population for that month. 78.7% No High School 59.0% High School Diploma 52.9% Some College 40.5% Bachelors Degree 37.3% Advanced Degree 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% No High School High School Diploma Some College Bachelors Degree Advanced Degree 2020 2000 2010 2015 2005 1995 ABOUT LISEP CONNECT RESOURCES White Papers Executive Summaries Methodologies Data Terms of Use Privacy Policy © 2025 The Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity Our Mission Our Team Subscribe Contact Us X LinkedIn Facebook Informal Economy Minimal Quality of Life Shared Economic Prosperity Measure True Living Cost True Weekly Earnings True Rate of Unemployment Unmasking GDP Informal Economy Informal Economy Minimal Quality of Life Shared Economic Prosperity Measure TLC & TWE Local Analysis TRU & TWE True Living Cost Unmasking GDP Informal Economy LISEP Local Analysis Minimal Quality of Life Shared Economic Prosperity TRU & TWE TRU Local True Living Cost Partners section M E N U