23% of jobless reported out of work for a year

4/6/2010

More than one in five jobless Americans have been without work for a year or more, potentially leading to a loss of skills that will hurt the economy, according to a study by the Pew Fiscal Analysis Initiative.

About 3.4 million people, or 23 percent of the unemployed in December, were jobless for at least 12 months, the study showed. Those who are 55 and older have had the hardest time finding new positions, the report said.

It said that although more experienced workers are less likely to lose their jobs, once unemployed they face an increasing chance of being out of work longer.