Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

There are six kinds of unemployment stats the US tracks (below). Nothing sounds specific to underemployment by skills specifically (maybe u-6?). That would probably come from other metrics, like quintile income distributions shifting downwards?

You didn't ask, but just in case (from an internet search):

U-1: Long-term unemployed

* Definition: People unemployed 15 weeks or longer, as a percentage of the civilian labor force.

* Purpose: Measures persistent unemployment.

U-2: Job losers and temporary workers

* Definition: People who lost jobs or completed temporary jobs, as a percentage of the labor force.

* Purpose: Captures recent layoffs and temp contract ends.

U-3: Official unemployment rate (headline rate)

* Definition: Total unemployed as a percentage of the civilian labor force.

* Purpose: This is the standard "unemployment rate" reported in news and economic discussions.

* Limitations: Doesn’t count discouraged workers or part-time workers wanting full-time jobs.

U-4: Unemployed + Discouraged workers

* Definition: U-3 plus discouraged workers (those who want a job but stopped looking because they believe no jobs are available).

* Purpose: Adds a layer of marginal attachment to the labor force.

U-5: Unemployed + All marginally attached workers

* Definition: U-4 plus all others marginally attached to the labor force, not just discouraged workers.

* Marginally attached workers: People not currently working or looking for work but who want a job and have looked in the past 12 months (but not the past 4 weeks).

U-6: Broadest measure

* Definition: U-5 plus part-time workers who want full-time jobs (i.e., involuntary part-time workers).

* Purpose: The most comprehensive measure of labor underutilization, including: Discouraged workers, Marginally attached workers, and Underemployed part-timers



Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: