In the US unemployment numbers are blatantly underestimated. The governmant just released a sugarcoated number (U-3) of 8.5%, being months behind, leaving out many folks.
A more honest number (U-6) at least considers the folks who have been unemployed long enough to drop out of official unemployment support, this number is 15.9% at present.
Another number also considers people who are stuck in a low paying or a partime job. They generally end up with less than half the pay they would get for their skill level in more normal times. So it seems to be fair to call them 50% unemployed. Then the unemployement number would stand at 19.8% right now (according to ShadowStats.com).
Where are unemployent numbers in your country?