>>>
costs less at walmart.
>>>
as we mentioned at the top of the broadcast tonight, there's news on the economy and jobs. the
unemployment rate
in this country jumped sharply in october, up .4%. that puts it at 10.2%, a number that we haven't seen since the early
1980s
. nbc's
john yang
has our report from denver.
>>
reporter: the people in this colorado
support group
don't need government statistics to tell them that the jobs picture is bleak. they're among the 15.7 million
americans
who can't find jobs.
>>
i'm behind on my mortgage. and i need to get a roommate.
>>
it is very discouraging.
>>
reporter: in washington
president obama
facing increasing pressure for a new
stimulus package
signed legislation extending
unemployment benefits
for the fourth time in 18 months.
>>
that won't let up until the
americans
who want to find work can find work.
>>
reporter: the 10.2%
unemployment rate
doesn't tell the whole story. counting those who've given up looking for work and those who work part-time because they can't find a full-time job, the rate is 17.5%.
>>
it's really clearly showing that the jobs are not coming back in any significant way to most industries in the country.
>>
reporter: jobs are hard to come by. nationwide, there are six unemployed people for every
job opening
. here in the west that figure is seven for every opening. the average unemployed american has been out of a job 27 weeks. more than half a year. and 5.7 million
americans
have been jobless for a year or more. both records. procurement engineer dave gazinski hasn't had steady work since july
2008
.
>>
wednesday and thursday i was siding houses. two weeks ago i was cleaning apartments.
>>
reporter: sky taylor, who lost her technology job ten months ago, is about to turn 50 and has exhausted her retirement savings.
>>
i have a proven track record. and i need to find just one job. one job.
>>
reporter: a sentiment shared by more and more
americans
every month.
john yang
, nbc news, denver.
>>>
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