"Headline unemployment" refers to the percentage of people who are actively looking for a job but are currently unemployed, as reported in the news or media headlines. Full definition
And we shouldn't allow welcome falls in headline unemployment figures to conceal deeper problems in our labour market. (politics.co.uk)
She also said there appears to be more room to grow in a labor market where headline unemployment is at 4.9 percent, but wages are growing slowly. (cnbc.com)
Both because baby boomers have been retiring and because discouraged job seekers aren't included in headline unemployment rate, the participation rate remains low by historical standards. (woodstockcorp.com)