CNBC
Falling long-term unemployment isn't good news, economists say — what it means for jobseekers
Friday, August 7, 2026
Long-term unemployment declined in recent months, but economists attributed the drop to workers leaving the labor force rather than finding employment. When workers exit the labor force entirely, they are no longer counted in unemployment statistics. The shift affects household incomes and reduces the overall size of the working-age population participating in economic activity.
