unremunerative

Unremunerative is an adjective describing something that yields little or no financial reward. It characterizes work, investment, or activities whose monetary compensation is insufficient relative to the effort, risk, or opportunity cost involved. In common usage, an unremunerative job or venture may not attract participants because the expected income does not adequately compensate for time, skill, or resources.

Etymology: The word is formed by adding the prefix un- to remunerative, which derives from Latin remuneratus via Old French remuneration, meaning “to reward” or “pay for services.” The term has been used in English since the early modern period to describe cases where compensation is lacking or unsatisfactory.

In economics and public policy, unremunerative activities can influence labor supply and investment decisions. Sectors such as care work, certain public-interest roles, or exploratory research may be described as unremunerative if the financial pay does not reflect social value or the required expertise. The concept is often discussed in debates over minimum wage, living wages, scholarships, or subsidies designed to offset low pay in important but underfunded fields.

It is distinct from unprofitable, which emphasizes net losses in a business context, whereas unremunerative focuses on compensation relative to effort or opportunity cost rather than overall profitability.