Facts about U.S. Jobs and Economy

Jobs & Economy

The color of unemployment

Released July 29, 2013

There are stark differences in unemployment figures for different racial and ethnic groups. Who fares best?

Unemployment by the numbers: U.S. vs. the world

Released June 17, 2013

U.S. unemployment is considered high at 7.5 percent. But it’s better than the European Union, where jobless rates are at 11 percent.

Hot jobs, no diploma required

Released April 29, 2013

Many of the fastest growing jobs for the coming decade don’t require a college degree or even a high school diploma.

One of every six federal dollars goes to programs for poor

Released March 29, 2013

Ten Washington programs that mostly benefit poor Americans cost $588 billion in 2012, or one-sixth of all federal spending.

Income gap between rich, middle class, and poor widens

Released March 28, 2013

The income gap between rich and poor has widened astronomically in the past half century, but the gap between the rich and the middle class has widened the most.

Homeownership more likely when immigrants to U.S. stay longer

Released March 27, 2013

Immigrants who stay in the U.S. for years or become citizens are more likely to own their homes – sometimes more than native-born Americans.

More wives are top-earning breadwinners

Released March 26, 2013

A growing percentage of married women earn more than their husbands – 28 percent in 2011.

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