The Fact
Bureau of Labor Statistics annual averages for 2025 show that unemployed people ages 55–64 had been unemployed for an average of 26.7 weeks.
What This Means
For an older worker, unemployment can consume roughly half a year on average. That matters because a long search is also months of lost wages, lost employer benefits, and lost retirement contributions.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Labor Force Statistics annual averages, 2025: unemployment duration by age.