Are Jobless Recoveries Really That Unusual? [Infographic]

By economists' determinations, the recent recession the nation endured beginning in December 2007 officially ended in mid-2009. But for many jobless Americans the pain still lingers. More than two years into the rebound, job creation remains tepid, leading some to refer to the current economic situation as a jobless recovery.

There are some bright signs on the horizon, however. As reported Thursday, weekly first-time claims for jobless benefits have been steadily trending downward for some time. At the height of the economic crisis, U.S. News & World Report notes, new weekly claims for unemployment rose to above 500,000 for more than a year, and for most of the first half of 2009 climbed to well above 600,000.