Despite Falling Unemployment Rate, 65% Think Jobs Are Difficult to Find
Economic Pessimism Persists. The survey was conducted before Friday’s jobs report, which showed that the unemployment rate had fallen to 6.3%, its lowest level since 2008, and that the economy had added 288,000 jobs. However, more than 800,000 people left the labor force. From the public’s point of view, jobs remain scarce: 65% say jobs in their community are difficult to find while 27% say there are plenty of jobs available. Since the recession, perceptions of the job market have become less negative as the unemployment rate has declined. However, there has been virtually no change in these views since last June (64% jobs hard to find), although the jobless rate has fallen by more than a percentage point (from 7.5% to 6.3%) since then.
Despite Falling Unemployment Rate,  | 65% Think Jobs Are Difficult to Find  | 100  | 85  | 78  | 80  | 65  | Jobs are difficultto find  | 60 48  | 40  | Plentyof jobs available  | 20  | 27  | 16  | 10  | Nov-07  | Mar-10  | Jan-12  | Apr-14  | Survev conducted April 23-27 2014.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER/USA TODAY 