Langtimasamvinnu

Langtimasamvinnu is a term used to describe prolonged unemployment, defined as being without work and actively seeking employment for an extended period. In many labour markets the term refers to unemployment lasting 12 months or more, though the exact threshold varies by country or statistical agency. The concept highlights the duration of joblessness and its potential effects on an individual’s skills and employability.

Causes include structural shifts in the economy that reduce demand for certain skills, skill mismatches between workers and available jobs, aging or health-related barriers, discrimination, and cyclical downturns. Personal circumstances such as caregiving responsibilities or geographic immobility can further raise the risk of entering or remaining in long-term unemployment.

Consequences include higher likelihood of prolonged unemployment in the future, reduced earnings, and increased risk of poverty and social exclusion. Long spells out of work can erode work history, diminish skills, and lower confidence, making re-entry to the labour market more difficult.

Measurement relies on labour force surveys and official statistics. The long-term unemployment rate is the share of the unemployed who have been without work for the specified duration, typically a year or more. Comparisons across countries require harmonized definitions and time thresholds.

Policy responses focus on active labour market policies, such as retraining and skills development, job-search assistance, wage subsidies, and public or subsidized employment programmes. Targeted supports for older workers, people with disabilities, or low-skilled workers, together with reforms to childcare, transport, and flexible work arrangements, are common complements.

Langtimasamvinnu is a common concern in many economies and is the subject of ongoing policy debate regarding the effectiveness of interventions and the long-term impact on individuals and regions. Related terms include unemployment, long-term unemployment, and active labour market policy.