The group of persons with part time
jobs who are willing and able to work full time. Underemployment is most common during difficult
economic times, when
job growth is stagnant or declining. Underemployed persons are bringing in an
income, but it may not be sufficient to pay their bills and usually is not enough to support the lifestyle they were living when they were employed full time. For this reason, the underemployment rate is sometimes called the "real"
unemployment rate. See also: U6.