What age is most unemployed?

Who Faces the Highest Unemployment in the U.S.?

When it comes to unemployment in the United States, age plays a significant role. Data spanning from 1990 to 2024 reveals a consistent pattern: younger workers, particularly those between the ages of 16 and 24, face the highest unemployment rates.

In recent years, the unemployment rate for this younger group has hovered around 14.9%—a stark contrast to workers aged 45 and over, whose unemployment rate sits significantly lower at 6.7%. This gap isn’t new. Historical trends show similar disparities. For instance, in 1998, unemployment among 16- to 24-year-olds was 8.4%, compared to just 2.7% for older adults. By 2017, those numbers had shifted to 9.2% and 3.2% respectively, maintaining the same relative imbalance.

Several factors contribute to this trend. Younger workers often have less job experience, are more likely to be in transitional phases—such as leaving school or switching careers—and typically occupy more entry-level or part-time roles, which can be unstable. Meanwhile, older workers tend to have established careers, deeper professional networks, and greater job retention.

Economic downturns also hit younger workers harder. During recessions or periods of slow growth, employers are less likely to take a chance on inexperienced hires. Seasonal and entry-level jobs—common among teens and young adults—are often the first to be cut.

While older workers aren’t immune to job loss, structural trends continue to favor their employment stability. For policymakers and educators, addressing youth unemployment means investing in training, apprenticeships, and pathways that bridge the gap between education and the workforce.

The data makes one thing clear: if we want to strengthen the economy long-term, supporting young people in their early steps into the labor market is crucial.