Reply #43: Definition of discouraged worker

[pinqy]

A Discouraged worker is someone who did not work during the reference week of the survey, did not look for work in the previous 4 weeks (so not unemployed), but who did look sometime in the previous 12 months, says they want to work, could take a job if offered, but is not looking because they don't believe they would be successful. Reasons for Discouragement are beliefs that they are too old, too young, would be discriminated against because of sex or race, don't have enough skills/education, don't believe any jobs are available.