How can I, a 27-year-old woman, express to my 30-year-old boyfriend that I feel our relationship is imbalanced?

I’m not great at confrontation or tough discussions, but I feel it’s necessary to address a difficult topic. It seems to me that I invest significantly more into our relationship than my boyfriend does. After four years together, I find myself constantly making excuses for him. While I love him, it feels like he doesn’t make an effort. I hardly see him, and when we are together, he’s often preoccupied with his phone. He’s currently unemployed, and prior to that, his income was low, which means I usually cover our expenses. He seldom gives me compliments, and when he does, it’s usually because I’ve asked for them—I just appreciate hearing something nice now and then. Overall, I’m not happy. I don’t want to end the relationship, but how can I express to him that if things don’t change, I might have to consider it?