As the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, some progress has been made to reduce the number of long-term unemployed workers. According to September 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there are 2.7 million long-term unemployed workers in the United States, and almost half of age 55+ job seekers are considered long-term unemployed. At the same time, a record 4.3 million U.S. workers quit their jobs in August and if measured back to April 20 million workers have resigned according to the Labor Department. Meanwhile, the U.S. is facing a severe labor shortage.

Bringing workers and especially the long-term unemployed back into the labor force will require a dedicated effort from governments, employers, and worker support organizations. Filling job openings and increased labor force participation rates are essential to the recovery of the U.S. economy.

Michele Chang

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy

Economic Development Administration

US Department of Commerce

Stuart Andreason

Assistant Vice President and Director of the Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Ed Egee

VP, GR and Workforce Development

National Retail Federation (NRF)

Maria Heidkamp

Director, Program Development

Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University

Bill Rodgers

Vice President and Director of the Institute for Economic Equity

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis