Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment

One of the true surprises of this recession has been how long it is taking folks to find new jobs.   February 2010 statistics show that 58.9% of the unemployed have been out of work 15 weeks or longer, and 40.1% have been out for six months or longer.  This compares with 42.3% (15+ weeks) and 23.4% (6+ months) just one year ago (February 2009).

I know many people approaching 18 months, 2 years, and even longer periods of unemplyment with no end in sight.  Will these folks ever work again?  They must wonder if it's true.  Employers allegedly want to hire people in their 30s - for folks over 40, a period of extended unemployment only takes them further away from this employer ideal.

To see the full table of statistics, follow this link:
http://bit.ly/dpJxMO

Senate passes $149 bln for jobless aid, tax breaks

Here's a statistic I have not heard before:

"More than 40 percent of unemployed Americans have been out of work for at least six months, the usual cutoff for jobless benefits. Congress extended the program to cover those out of work for nearly two years in some high-unemployment areas, but millions could still exhaust their benefits starting next month without a further extension."

http://bit.ly/9lFvcR