就业市场亮红灯：长期失业人数飙升，美国经济隐忧加剧

Core Insights - The U.S. job market is showing concerning signs, with over a quarter of unemployed individuals having been out of work for more than six months, a record high since the pandemic began [1][3] - In August alone, over 1.9 million Americans fell into "long-term unemployment," nearly double the figure from early 2023, indicating a significant cooling of the economy [1][3] Group 1: Long-term Unemployment Trends - Long-term unemployment often leads to individuals exhausting their unemployment benefits and savings, resulting in a loss of confidence and potential withdrawal from the job market [3][5] - The current job market is characterized by fewer job openings and increased layoffs, with the number of unemployed surpassing job vacancies for the first time in four years [3][5] Group 2: Personal Impact of Long-term Unemployment - Personal stories highlight the struggles of long-term unemployed individuals, such as Steve Beal, who has sent over 300 applications without success, and Felicia Enriquez, who has been unemployed for 14 months and relies on food stamps [5][6] - Research indicates that half of those unemployed for over seven months may exit the labor market entirely, with prolonged unemployment leading to diminished skills and networking opportunities [5][6] Group 3: Declining Confidence in Job Market - Confidence in future employment is rapidly declining, with less than 45% of Americans believing they could find a job within three months if they were to lose their current position, the lowest since 2013 [8] - Historical data shows that a long-term unemployment rate exceeding 25% is rare, with only three instances in the past 75 years, including the current situation [8] Group 4: Economic Policy Response - Attention is focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, where a potential interest rate cut may be discussed to alleviate pressure on the job market [8]