What term describes individuals who are out of work but actively seeking employment?

The term that describes individuals who are out of work but actively seeking employment is "unemployed workers." This designation is specifically used in labor economics to identify those who do not currently hold a job yet are actively engaged in the job search process. It’s crucial to make a distinction in labor statistics between those who are unemployed and those who are not part of the labor force, such as retirees, students, or discouraged workers who have stopped looking for a job.

In contrast, "labor force" refers to the total number of people who are either employed or actively seeking employment, which includes both employed and unemployed workers. "Employed workers" signifies those individuals who currently hold jobs, thus not encompassing those who are out of work. Meanwhile, the "labor market" is a broader term that refers to the supply and demand for labor, encompassing both those who are employed and those who are unemployed, but it does not specifically denote the status of individuals actively looking for work.