Underemployment Affects Millions in US Despite Low Unemployment

Despite a low official U.S. unemployment rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a broader metric called the True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) reveals that 24.3% of Americans are functionally unemployed, including those underemployed or earning poverty wages, with significant disparities affecting Hispanic, Black, and female workers. Various initiatives, such as the 'recruiting day' in Castellammare, Italy, and regional training programs supported by local governments, aim to bridge employment gaps by connecting job seekers with employers and providing vocational training. Economic crises disproportionately impact youth, who face high unemployment and underemployment due to mismatches between academic education and labor market demands, resulting in wasted skills and increased social challenges. In the grocery industry, employee turnover remains extremely high at 69%, prompting specialized recruiting agencies like The SuperMarket Agency to help fill store-level management roles by addressing evolving job seekers’ expectations post-COVID. Meanwhile, labor shortages in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing in the UK and U.S. are largely attributed to low wages and poor working conditions, with experts advocating for better pay as a straightforward solution to attract and retain workers.