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Give It Back FOR JOBS

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Jobs & Work

Hiring, layoffs, wages, and the changing working day.

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How the U.S. Unemployment Rate Is Calculated

The unemployment rate divides unemployed people by the civilian labor force, then multiplies by 100. Who counts as unemployed depends on recent job-search activity and availability, while people outside the labor force are excluded. The employment-population ratio answers a different question: what share of the civilian noninstitutional population is employed?

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What the Unemployment Rate Actually Measures

The unemployment rate is the share of the labor force without a job who meet specific job-search and availability rules. It excludes people outside the labor force, so it is a useful snapshot of active joblessness but not a complete account of work or unmet demand.