# U.S. Jobless Spells Average 27.1 Weeks as Long-Term Unemployment Rises By Enna Lee Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/51719 Published: 2026-11-08T17:42:36.000Z Updated: 2026-11-08T17:42:36.000Z Section: Investing > About 2 million people had been jobless for at least 27 weeks, equal to 27.6% of unemployed workers. Most or all unemployment benefits typically end after 26 weeks in a year. U.S. jobseekers spent an average 27.1 weeks out of work in October on a seasonally adjusted basis, the longest span outside the pandemic period since 2016, even as employers added jobs. Employers added 165,000 nonfarm jobs, and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.1%. The average spell of unemployment stretched to nearly seven months, a measure of how long people are taking to return to work. About 2 million people had been without work for at least 27 weeks, representing 27.6% of all unemployed workers. That share was the highest since late 2021. Workers unemployed for 27 weeks or more are considered long-term unemployed. The duration matters because workers generally lose access to most or all government unemployment benefits after 26 weeks in a year. “Now, the average unemployed person takes longer to find a job than their benefits would last,” said Cory Stahle, senior economist at hiring platform Indeed. Extended unemployment can deplete savings, weaken future earnings potential and harm mental health. A lengthy job search may also make reemployment harder if skills fade, professional networks shrink or employers view a long gap negatively. The growing share of long-term unemployed people can help explain why initial and continuing jobless claims have remained low. The duration figures add another measure to TokenPost’s [earlier coverage of October payroll growth]() and the low-hire, low-fire labor market. ## Links in this article - [earlier coverage of October payroll growth](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/51644)