How many people are unemployed because of the COVID downturn? 11.1 million, as reported by the BLS or 21.5 million, as reported by the DOL?

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Friend,

Just looking at the headlines, it’s hard to suss out what kind of economy President-elect Joe Biden will inherit when he and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are sworn in on January 20th.

Are there 11.1 million unemployed workers, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)? Or 21.5 million, as reported by the Department of Labor (DOL)?

As usual, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is here to set the data record straight.

EPI’s Heidi Shierholz, who was the DOL’s chief economist during the Obama administration, explains the conundrum in this recent blog post ([link removed]) , and clearly shows us exactly how many millions of working people have been hit by the COVID-19 economic downturn in this new chart:
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Shierholz’s chart, above, clearly shows the vast majority of the 25.7 million workers who have been hit by the COVID-19 economic downturn are currently unemployed, while 7 million working people are experiencing a cut in pay and hours.

EPI is providing our elected leaders, the Biden-Harris Transition Team and activists alike with the clear data and research needed to fight for working families and the 25.7 million workers who are―today―struggling through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Donate to EPI today to fight for the rights and wages of working people, including a new COVID-19 relief package that includes direct cash payments, a renewal of enhanced unemployment insurance, and aid to state and local communities. ([link removed])

Thank you for all that you do to demand an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

Eve Tahmincioglu
Director of Communications, Economic Policy Institute
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