Chart Summary

This chart shows the US unemployment rate by the level of education obtained by worker. As we might expect the in a knowledge economy, the more educated you are, the more employment opportunities you have. Also notice the disproportionate effect recessions (e.g. 2001 and 2009) have by education level. While everyone's unemployment rate goes up, the those without a high school diploma experience a 4 to 6 percentage point increase in unemployment college graduates only see a 1 to 2 percentage point increase in unemployment.

Key Lesson

If you want to help the disadvantaged, focus on building a strong, growing economy.