Principles of Macroeconomics/Macroeconomic Principles/Types of unemployment

3.2 Types of unemployment
Frictional unemployment, which is the least severe of the three types, occurs as a result of individuals' movements between jobs. Structural unemployment, which is the most severe of the three types, typically requires workers to seek retraining or additional education as a consequence of structural changes in the economy. Cyclical unemployment is the result of downturns in the business cycle, economic contractions, or recessions.