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the state of being unemployed, especially involuntarily:
Automation poses a threat of unemployment for many unskilled workers.
the number of persons who are unemployed.
Informal. .
Contemporary Examples

unemployment and foreclosures remain high, yet the world economy is tentatively stable.
The 20 Smartest People Of 2010 The Daily Beast December 29, 2010

Housing prices had been collapsing for two years, and unemployment was climbing.
Federal Open Markets Committee Was Clueless to Financial Crisis Michael Tomasky February 23, 2014

Nothing fundamental has changed about Greece, or Spain—countries with 24 percent unemployment and shrinking economies.
Economics Developments in the U.S., Europe, and China Could Trip Up Obama’s Reelection Campaign Daniel Gross September 5, 2012

unemployment numbers reported Friday showed the jobless rate remained at 9.7 percent.
25 Boom States The Daily Beast March 4, 2010

Simply put, unemployment benefits increase unemployment durations.
The Dirty Secret of Unemployment Reihan Salam April 7, 2010

Historical Examples

The commune will pay house rent for three months for a genuine case of unemployment.
Glimpses into the Abyss Mary Higgs

The best results were obtained in the sphere of unemployment.
The World in Chains John Mavrogordato

It has been insidiously planted in some parts where the discontent growing out of unemployment brought fertile opportunity.
Cox–The Man Roger W. Babson

We hear of the prevention of unemployment, the removal of the bugbear of “losing the job.”
The Psychology of Nations G.E. Partridge

unemployment prevailed, but he seemed to contact more women in business places than he did in former days.
David Lannarck, Midget George S. Harney

noun
the condition of being unemployed
the number of unemployed workers, often as a percentage of the total labour force
n.

1888, from un- (1) “not” + employment.