PrintJanuary 17, 2010
Graph of the Day for January 17, 2010
"To be counted as unemployed, you must not only be out of work but must also have actively looked for a job in the preceding four weeks. This definition excludes the 6 million Americans who work part time because they can't find full-time jobs. Some labor experts argue that many of these "underemployed" workers should be counted among the unemployed. Also excluded from the official statistics are so-called discouraged workers, the grossly understated term for those who have given up looking for work, usually after long and futile job searches, and simply dropped out of the labor force."
Time Magazine in 1991.
"For the 'funemployed,' unemployment is welcome.These jobless folks, usually singles in their 20s and 30s, find that life without work agrees with them. Instead of punching the clock, they're hitting the beach."
LA Times in 2009
Civilian Labor Force (those who have or are seeking jobs) as percent of population
St. Louis Fed.Hoven's Index for January 17, 2010
Changes in the civilian labor force over various time periods:
Last six months (Jun to Dec 2009): -1,700,000 (decline)
Last year (Dec. 2008 to Dec. 2009): -1,528,000 (decline)
Prevous 8 years (Dec. 2000 to Dec. 2008): +11,339,000
Previous 25 years (Dec. 1983 to Dec. 2008): +42,260,000.
Source: St. Louis Fed.
Graph of the Day Archive.
