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41 Million Have Lost Jobs Since Coronavirus Hit but Layoffs Slow

More than 13 percent of older workers are unemployed

Getty Images Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. About 41 million people applied for aid since the , though not all of them are still unemployed. The Labor Department’s report Thursday includes a count of all the people now receiving unemployment aid: 21 million. That is a rough measure of the number of currently unemployed Americans. The , the highest since the Great Depression, and many economists expect it will near 20 percent in May. The April unemployment rate for workers age 55 and older was 13.6 percent. States are restarting their economies gradually by letting certain businesses — from gyms, retail shops and restaurants to hair and nail salons — . As some of these employers, including automakers, have recalled a portion of their laid-off employees, the number of people receiving unemployment benefits has fallen. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > First-time applications for unemployment aid, though still high by historical standards, have now fallen for eight straight weeks. In addition to those who applied last week, an additional 1.2 million applied under a new program for self-employed and gig workers, who are eligible for jobless aid for the first time. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. More on work AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS