Here’s why COVID-19 is causing millions of Americans to change their career

Feb 17, 2021

Over half of American adults have experienced mental health issues as a result of losing their job. Image: Unsplash/Ben White

Kim Parker

Director, Social Trends Research, Pew Research Center

Rakesh Kochhar

Associate Director of Research, Pew Research Center

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A chart showing the mixed views of unempolyed adults about their future job prospects

66% of unemployed adults surveyed in January 2021 have considered changing occupation. Image: Pew Research Center

A graph showing that the majority of unemployed workers have experienced a decline in mental health since unemployment

70% of people reported feeling more stressed than usual since being unmployed. Image: Pew Research Center

A chart showing how the COVID-19 recession has accentuated unemployment gaps by education and age

Unemployment has hit some groups worse than others. Image: Pew Research Center

A graph showing that low-wage occupations have seen the steepest job losses during the pandemic

Low-wage occupations have been hit much harder than during the Great Recession Image: Pew Research Center

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