US Job Searches Now Top 27 Weeks as Long-Term Unemployment Jumps to 28%

Finding a new job after getting laid off is taking significantly longer. The average duration of unemployment topped 27 weeks in October on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That represents a search of nearly seven months, reaching the longest span outside the pandemic years since 2016.

The Rise of Long-Term Unemployment

Roughly 2 million Americans have now been without work for 27 weeks or more. These job seekers make up 27.6% of all unemployed workers, marking the highest proportion since late 2021.

Economists point to a “low-hire, low-fire” dynamic across the economy. While employers are broadly reluctant to let workers go, they are also slow to create new openings. This shift creates steep hurdles for workers stuck on the sidelines. Extended joblessness often drains household savings, cuts future wage potential, and leads to worse mental health. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond warns that prolonged gaps create a cycle where networks shrink, skills decline, and employers view long pauses as a warning sign.

Benefits Run Out Before Offers Arrive

A typical worker can collect state unemployment benefits for only 26 weeks. Because the average search now lasts over 27 weeks, many jobless Americans exhaust their assistance before securing a new role. This gap also explains why weekly government jobless claims have remained subdued despite difficult searches.

Mixed Signals Across the Economy

The broader labor market still shows pockets of resilience. Nonfarm payrolls grew by 165,000 positions in October, beating expectations, while the overall unemployment rate edged down to 4.1%. Openings in September also topped forecasts, and voluntary resignations jumped.

Yet several large employers continue to trim staff. Disney is preparing to cut thousands of positions, while American Express announced plans to eliminate 5% of its workforce to shift resources toward artificial intelligence.