Latest Research

Fact Sheet: Double Digit Unemployment

November 6, 2009

More historical context and demographic detail on the U.S. job market and October's 10.2% unemployment rate.

Segregation and the subprime lending crisis

November 4, 2009

Research shows strong connection between racial segregation and high-risk lending.

Building a sound health care bill

October 30, 2009

A few important details of the legislation could determine the success -- or failure -- of the public insurance option, and reform in general.

Recovery Act fuels economy’s growth, but more action needed

October 29, 2009

A multitude of evidence makes clear that most of GDP's third quarter growth can be traced to the Recovery Act, and that the long-term health of the economy is going to depend on pushing forward—not pulling back—with even more stimulus measures.

Recovery.gov recipient reporting on jobs—Problems and recommendations

October 29, 2009

A new Policy Memo proposes several options to improve the quality and integrity of the data reported to Recovery.gov by federal contractors receiving Recovery Act funding.

Employer-sponsored health insurance erosion continues

October 27, 2009

A new EPI report shows that employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) has declined every year since 2000, currently leaving 45.7 million people under 65 without any coverage and estimates suggest another 10 million people will be without ESI by 2010 unless the economy makes an unpredicted swift rebound or there is large-scale health reform.

Striking the balance in school reform

October 23, 2009

This review of the current evidence finds that there is still a need to better understand how schools can support and enhance the work of the teachers who staff them.

Generational theft, thrift, or investment

October 22, 2009

Deficit spending, when directed toward positive investments such as infrastructure and high-quality education, can generate important returns for future generations.

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Analysis & Opinion

At 10.2%, October’s unemployment is a wake-up call

November 6, 2009

Pace of job loss slows in October, but unemployment keeps rising. Read More

Mishel on double-digit unemployment

November 6, 2009

EPI President Lawrence Mishel says October's unemployment rate should send an alarm that more help is needed. Read More

Mishel weighs in on White House Middle Class Task Force

November 5, 2009

During a recent discussion with Vice President Joe Biden about the economic challenges of the middle class, EPI President Lawrence Mishel explained how economic policies had left so many people squeezed. Read More

How tax policy could help promote prosperity

November 3, 2009

EPI's Research and Policy Director John Irons addressed the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board November 2 on ways that a simpler, fairer tax policy could help promote economic growth. But he stressed that tax policy was not the only tool for doing so. Read More

EPI launches Economy Track

November 2, 2009

EPI's new Web site offers exclusive data on the recession and the jobs crisis, nationwide and state by state. Read More

Recovery Act spurs genuine growth

October 29, 2009

The economy’s newfound growth relies almost totally on the Recovery Act. And that’s just fine. Read More

A new way to pay teachers

October 28, 2009

The authors of an EPI book that proposes a new system for tying teacher pay to performance recently spoke on a panel at EPI about the benefits and challenges of the four-tiered pay structure they recommend. Read More

In praise of reining in runaway pay

October 26, 2009

In an October 23 editorial for National Public Radio, EPI President Lawrence Mishel praised the Obama administration's plan to limit executive pay at firms that received bailout funds. Read More

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EconWire

  • Costco plans to accept food stamps nationally Seattle Times — Nov. 6, 2009 Read More
  • The dark side of the productivity surge Business Week — Nov. 6, 2009 Read More
  • Too little of a good thing New York Times — Nov. 2, 2009 Read More
  • Stimulating thoughts; 3rd quarter edition New York Times — Oct. 30, 2009 Read More
  • Recovery, for the lucky Huffington Post — Oct. 29, 2009 Read More
  • Stimulus boosts research on minority elders New America Media — Oct. 29, 2009 Read More
  • Gloom spreads on economy, but GOP doesn’t gain Wall Street Journal — Oct. 29, 2009 Read More
  • America’s high-tech sweatshops Business Week — Oct. 28, 2009 Read More
  • The case for more stimulus New York Times — Oct. 28, 2009 Read More
  • Support for public option keeps getting stronger Huffington Post — Oct. 26, 2009 Read More
  • See More EconWire

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Minorities, less-educated workers see staggering rates of underemployment

Underemployment by race

One in six workers cannot find the amount of work they want. Read More

Unemployment up sharply despite GDP growth

November 6, 9:21am

Unemployment rose dramatically to 10.2% in October, the highest rate since March of 1983, and 190,000 payroll jobs were lost. This is in spite of the fact that the economy is now growing.
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has stopped the free-fall, but the scale of economic decline has been so large that it has not been enough to prevent rising unemployment. Today’s unemployment numbers are a wake-up call. Our leaders need to authorize substantial additional spending for relief and job creation in order to prevent unemployment from remaining elevated for years to come,” said EPI economist Heidi Shierholz.
“Unemployment has now exceeded what some thought would be the peak. With such a huge fire we need every hose we can find to put it out,” said EPI’s president Lawrence Mishel. Archive

The State of Working America

The State of Working America

A comprehensive look at the U.S. labor market and trends in income and employment levels, wages, poverty and healthcare coverage for American families

Agenda for Shared Prosperity

Agenda for Shared Prosperity

EPI's initiative to revive the American economy

Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN)

Economic Analysis and Research Network

Improving workers' lives through state and local research and advocacy

The Broader, Bolder Approach to Education

The Broader, Bolder Approach to Education

Policies to overcome the link between social and economic status and achievement

Global Policy Network

Global Policy Network

A worldwide network of labor-friendly research institutions