Unemployment and underemployment rates of young high school graduates, 1994–2013*
| Underemployment | Unemployment | |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 31.7% | 16.5% |
| 1995 | 30.6% | 16.8% |
| 1996 | 30.0% | 17.1% |
| 1997 | 27.5% | 15.4% |
| 1998 | 24.9% | 13.9% |
| 1999 | 23.5% | 13.3% |
| 2000 | 22.4% | 13.1% |
| 2001 | 25.9% | 15.1% |
| 2002 | 29.9% | 18.1% |
| 2003 | 33.1% | 19.6% |
| 2004 | 31.2% | 17.8% |
| 2005 | 29.9% | 17.5% |
| 2006 | 29.6% | 17.4% |
| 2007 | 29.4% | 17.5% |
| 2008 | 38.8% | 22.5% |
| 2009 | 53.8% | 32.4% |
| 2010 | 55.9% | 32.7% |
| 2011 | 55.5% | 31.8% |
| 2012 | 52.2% | 30.6% |
| 2013 | 51.5% | 29.9% |
* Latest 12-month average: March 2012–February 2013
Note: Underemployment data are only available beginning in 1994. Data are for high school graduates age 17–20 who are not enrolled in further schooling. Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: Authors' analysis of basic monthly Current Population Survey microdata