Employment Gap Statistics for 2026

Overview

Employment gaps are far more common than most job seekers realize, and attitudes toward career breaks are evolving rapidly. This report compiles verified statistics to help you understand how prevalent gaps are, how employers view them, and how to address them effectively.

The data reveals a surprising truth: nearly 7 in 10 workers have experienced an employment gap, and the majority of hiring managers are willing to hire candidates with gaps when properly explained.

💡 Key Insight:

While employment gaps used to be considered serious red flags, LinkedIn introduced a "Career Breaks" feature in 2022 recognizing that nearly two-thirds of workers have taken some form of career break. The stigma is fading, but how you explain the gap still matters.

Key Statistics

68%

U.S. workers who have experienced a gap in their employment at some point in their career

Source: Resume Genius Survey, 2023

79%

Hiring managers who would still hire applicants with resume gaps when properly explained

Source: LinkedIn Survey, 2022

1 in 5

Job seekers who reported gaps of one year or longer in 2023, up from 14% in 2020

Source: The Interview Guys, 2025

60%

Workers with employment gaps who believe it made finding a new job harder

Source: Resume Genius Survey, 2023

Detailed Findings

How Common Are Employment Gaps?

Employment gaps are increasingly common in modern career trajectories. The data shows that career breaks are now the norm rather than the exception.

68% — U.S. workers who have experienced a gap in their employment at some point in their career (Source: Resume Genius Survey via Yahoo Finance, 2023)
Nearly 70% — Workers who have had at least one employment gap on their resume (Source: Coursera citing multiple sources, 2025)
Over 50% — U.S. workers who reported at least a one-month gap over the last half-decade (Source: Qz citing LiveCare.com data, 2025)
58% — Care professionals who have a six-month employment gap (Source: LiveCare.com via Qz, 2025)
1 in 5 (20%) — Job seekers who reported career gaps of one year or longer in 2023, up from 14% in 2020 (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)
Nearly two-thirds — Global workers who indicated they had taken some sort of career break (Source: LinkedIn survey of 23,000 workers, 2022)

Why Employment Gaps Happen

Understanding the reasons behind employment gaps helps normalize them and provides context for how to address them.

39% — Workers who cited family responsibilities as the most common reason for employment gaps (Source: Resume Genius Survey, 2023)
Career transitions — Layoffs, relocations, and career changes account for a significant portion of gaps
Personal development — Pursuing education, certifications, or skill development during career breaks
Health and caregiving — Personal health issues or caring for family members

How Recruiters and Employers View Employment Gaps

The most important question: do employment gaps actually hurt your chances? The data reveals a nuanced picture that's more encouraging than many job seekers expect.

79% — Hiring managers who would still hire applicants with resume gaps when those gaps are properly explained (Source: LinkedIn Survey cited by The Interview Guys, 2022)
60% — Workers with employment gaps who believe the gap has made it harder to find a new job (Source: Resume Genius Survey, 2023)
Gap impact varies by region — Harvard Business School research shows that while attitudes are softening, gaps aren't completely neutral; effects differ by region and functional role (Source: HBR, 2024)
LinkedIn introduced "Career Breaks" feature — In 2022, recognizing that career breaks are common and allowing users to showcase skills acquired during professional pauses (Source: HBR, 2024)
Employers understand life happens — The key is showing how you used that time productively, not apologizing for the gap itself (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)

📊 Research Finding:

A 2022 LinkedIn survey of 23,000 global workers found that nearly two-thirds had taken some sort of career break. This widespread prevalence has led to more accepting attitudes among employers, though the way you present the gap remains critical to hiring outcomes.

Trends Over Time

Employment gaps are becoming longer and more common, particularly since 2020. The pandemic fundamentally shifted how both workers and employers view career breaks.

Gaps are longer and more common since 2020 — May 2025 research from LiveCareer found employment gaps have increased in both frequency and duration post-pandemic (Source: AARP citing LiveCareer, 2025)
20% in 2023 vs. 14% in 2020 — The percentage of job seekers reporting gaps of one year or longer increased significantly (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)
Linear career paths are becoming rare — The modern workforce is more fluid, and career breaks are increasingly viewed as a normal part of professional life (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)

Impact on the Hiring Process

While gaps themselves are common, their impact on your job search depends heavily on how you address them.

The gap itself isn't the problem — it's how you present it — Smart hiring managers understand that diverse experiences often create stronger employees (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)
Resume gaps still have a negative effect — Despite changing attitudes, gaps aren't completely neutral, especially in certain industries and regions (Source: HBR, 2024)
Honesty is the best strategy — Being transparent about gaps while focusing on skills gained and growth achieved leads to better outcomes
Short gaps (under 3 months) — Often don't require detailed explanation and can be minimized through strategic resume formatting
Longer gaps (6+ months) — Should be addressed directly on the resume or in the cover letter with a brief, factual explanation

What This Means for You

You're Not Alone

With 68% of workers having experienced employment gaps, you're part of the majority, not an outlier. The sheer prevalence of gaps means employers are increasingly accustomed to seeing them and evaluating candidates holistically rather than rejecting anyone with a career break.

Explanation Matters More Than the Gap Itself

The fact that 79% of hiring managers would still hire candidates with gaps when properly explained shows that your narrative is critical. Focus on what you gained during the gap—skills, perspective, or personal growth—rather than making excuses for the time away.

Strategic Approaches to Address Employment Gaps

1. The Honest Explanation Method

Include a brief, factual explanation directly on your resume without oversharing personal details.

"Career Break (2023-2024): Focused on family caregiving responsibilities"
"Professional Development (2023): Pursued advanced certifications in project management"
"Career Transition (2023): Explored new industry opportunities while completing relevant coursework"

2. The Skills-First Approach

Use a functional resume format that emphasizes skills and achievements rather than chronological work history. Lead with a robust skills section, then include a condensed work history that focuses on years rather than specific months.

3. The Professional Development Angle

Transform your gap into evidence of continuous learning by creating a section highlighting courses, certifications, volunteer work, or freelance projects completed during your gap period.

4. The Freelance/Consulting Frame

Position any project work, consulting, or freelance activities prominently on your resume. Even small projects can demonstrate continued engagement in your field.

5. Strategic Omission (When Appropriate)

For very short gaps or those early in your career, use years instead of months in your date formatting. Only use this for gaps under 3 months or when the gap occurred early in your career.

⚠️ Critical Don't:

Don't lie or fabricate employment. Recent surveys show 64.2% of job applicants admit to lying on resumes, with 81.4% getting caught. More than 35% of those cases had offers withdrawn. The risk simply isn't worth it.

Turn Your Gap Into Your Greatest Asset

Your employment gap isn't a liability—it's proof of your resilience, adaptability, and diverse life experience. Companies worth working for recognize that employees with varied experiences often bring enhanced problem-solving skills, stronger empathy, increased motivation, and fresh perspectives.

Methodology

This report synthesizes data from career research organizations, HR surveys, and job market studies published between 2022-2025. Special attention was paid to the 2022 LinkedIn survey of 23,000 workers and the 2023 Resume Genius survey that revealed the 68% prevalence rate.

All statistics are verified and cited with source and year to ensure accuracy and reliability.