The USA has recorded an anti-record for the number of citizens completely out of economic life. In June 2026, the number of Americans who are unemployed and not even trying to find work reached 105.8 million. This was reported by the New York Post.
This figure has surpassed the levels recorded during both the 2008 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. In just one month, another 832,000 residents have left the labor force.
It is also important to note that this statistic does not only refer to the traditionally unemployed. It includes all Americans aged 16 and older who are not working and are not taking any steps to find work. This group also includes retirees, students, and individuals with health limitations.
Nearly half of this large group consists of citizens who have already retired. Millions more Americans live on disability benefits or have simply stopped looking for work, having become disillusioned with employment opportunities.
Experts are particularly concerned about the situation among men of working age, specifically those aged 25 to 54. According to the publication, about 7 million men in this age group are out of the labor market.
The overall share of the population participating in the labor force in the USA decreased to 59% in June. The last time such a low level was recorded was in the fall of 2021, when the US economy was just beginning to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
