US underemployment crisis: A closer look | Unemployment News

BC Dodge, a marketing and communications professional in Washington, DC, was laid off in late 2024 amid restructuring, leading to underemployment as he struggled to find stable work in the nonprofit sector due to government funding cuts in 2025. The rise in underemployment, now affecting 8% of the US population, is exacerbated by increasing expenses like healthcare costs and tariffs, pushing many towards bankruptcy and foreclosure. This economic strain is felt across various industries, highlighting the challenges faced by workers in maintaining financial stability in the current job market.

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