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Youth Unemployment Reaches Postwar High

A new study by the Economic Policy Institute finds that the current recession has exacted a heavy toll from workers between the ages of 16 and 24. Last September, the unemployment rate for this population reached the 19.2 percent, which is the highest level recorded since the end of the Second World War.

Moreover, relative to their share of the labor force, young workers are disproportionately represented among the ranks of the unemployed. In fact, one in every four unemployed persons in America is under the age of 25.

The graph (right) places current youth unemployment trends in the context of recent recessions.

Weekend Wonk Out

A round-up of policy reports from the week ending on 4/9:

• Demos looks at trends in student debt.
• CBPP argues that high-income tax cuts should expire on schedule.
• North Carolina analyzes its allied health regional skills partnership.
• EPI studies US trade with China.

Long-Term Unemployment

A new report by the Pew Economic Policy Group finds that 23 percent of all unemployed Americans in December 2009 had been out of work for at least one year. From the report …

Long-term unemployment cuts across nearly every industry and occupation. even in fields with overall unemployment rates that are relatively low, workerswho become unemployed are remaining jobless for long periods of time.Workers older than 55 and those who are highly educated are less likely to become unemployed, but many of them are experiencing long jobless spells once they become unemployed.

Who Are the Uninsured?

A new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research looks at America’s 46.3 million uninsured individuals. As the graph shows, adults between ages 18 and 64 account for 82 percent of the uninsured. Of these uninsured adults, 60 percent work. Moreover, 64 percent of those who work yet are uninsured are employed on a full-time, year-round basis.

Around the Dial – April 8

Economic policy reports, blog postings, and media stories of interest:

• Economix tracks which states work the hardest.
• EPI assesses changes to the “No Child Left Behind Act.”
• The Brookings Institution looks at rising income volatility.
• The Baseline Scenario asks what role the IMF should play in Greece.