We’ve published three pieces on the subject so far: a deep look at men not working; an animated graphic showing the change in their ranks since 2000; and a national map, allowing readers to study male nonemployment in every town in the country. In coming days, we’ll be publishing much more on the subject, including a detailed look at the recent decline in work among women. The poll questionnaire, as well as more about its methodology, is online as well. (Researchers, journalists or others interested in the raw poll data can contact Kaiser at kaiserpolls@kff.org.)

The decision about whether to work — when it is a decision — is, of course, an individual one. Many people who aren’t working today are happier and better off as a result. But the poll makes clear that many of today’s nonworking Americans are somewhere between conflicted and deeply unhappy about it. They want better-paying job options or different, more flexible ones.

Perhaps most worrisome, the country will be dealing with the consequence of the trend for a long time to come. Already, the stagnation of incomes in recent years has been as much about the decline of work as about slow-growing wages. A smaller percentage of working adults also means a smaller pool of people paying taxes, even as a larger number of people rely on government benefits. And it’s clear that many people who fall out of the labor force remain outside of it for years or decades.

Over the last 15 years — not to mention the last 50 — the economy has gone through booms and busts, but the long-term rise of nonemployment has outlasted every cycle. It’s a central reason that we now live in a country where most people are disappointed with the economy and with the standard of living.