subemployment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

They are often used synonymously. However, some economists use 'underemployment' more narrowly for part-time workers wanting full-time hours, while 'subemployment' can be a broader umbrella including low-wage work, overqualification, and insecure jobs.

Not always as a single figure. Components like 'involuntary part-time workers' and 'discouraged workers' are often tracked separately, which together can indicate subemployment levels.

Typically, no. The core concept involves economic insufficiency. However, a professional working far below their skill level (overqualified) could be considered subemployed in a sociological sense, even if financially secure.

It is a negative, critical term used to highlight deficiencies and problems within an employment system. It implies the employment situation is inadequate or failing the worker.

The state of being employed in a job that is insufficient in terms of hours, pay, skill usage, or security, often leading to an inadequate standard of living.

Subemployment is usually academic/technical, formal, policy/economics in register.

Subemployment: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌb.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌb.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.