How is structural unemployment defined?

Structural unemployment is defined as a form of long-term unemployment that occurs when there is a mismatch between the skills of the workforce and the skills required by employers, leading to a situation where individuals are unable to find work even when jobs are available. This often arises due to technological changes, shifts in consumer demand, or other structural changes in the economy. Unlike other forms of unemployment, structural unemployment is not typically linked to the cyclical fluctuations of the economy, such as recessions or seasonal variations, but rather reflects fundamental changes in the job market itself.

This type of unemployment often requires individuals to seek retraining or relocation to find work, since their existing skills may not align with current job opportunities. Thus, the emphasis on long-term unemployment and the lack of hope for finding a suitable job distinguishes it from the other forms of unemployment mentioned in the other options, which relate more to temporary or cyclical job loss.