The recession has resulted in a shortfall of 8 million jobs

stateofworkingamerica.org

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Related chart:  Employment-to-population ratio for 25- to 54-year-olds

EPI-top-charts-2013-02.png.608

Looking at the trend from 2010-present, the employment-to-population ratio should be back to pre-recession levels in 15-20 years, i.e., basically a generation from start of recession to full recovery.