What term describes the state of not having a job?

The term that describes the state of not having a job is unemployment. Unemployment specifically refers to individuals who are willing and able to work but are unable to find suitable employment. This term is widely used in economic contexts to analyze labor market dynamics, workforce participation, and economic health indicators.

In contrast, while "joblessness" might seem like a valid alternative, it is not as commonly used in formal economic discourse and lacks the precise definition that "unemployment" carries. Disemployment is not a recognized term in labor economics and does not accurately convey the intended meaning. Lastly, underemployment refers to individuals working in jobs that do not utilize their skills or qualifications fully, or those working part-time when they prefer full-time work, thus not applying to the situation of being completely jobless. Therefore, unemployment is the most accurate and widely accepted term for describing the state of not having a job.