Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Workers

One reason we have a labor force participation rate of 62.4 percent is because retirees, students, the disabled and people who care for family do not work.

The Mystery of the Disappearing Workers

Partially reflecting more women in the labor force, the participation rate rose from the 1970s until recently but now the mystery is why it is falling.

Weekly Roundup: From Marijuana to Multinationals

This week’s stories on everyday economics include productivity, externalities, tax revenue, monopolistic competition, international trade and economic forecasting.

A Solution for Too Few Doctors: More Patience

Decreases in supply, increases in demand and legislative price ceilings are resulting in “network adequacy” problems for U.S. healthcare systems.

Weekly Roundup: From Lemons to Longevity

This week’s stories on everyday economics include baby boomer dependency ratios, disposable income, human capital, the price system, the money supply and the iPhone 6 supply chain.

Why Baby Boomers Will Pull Productivity Down

1999 might have been Derek Jeter’s best season. Twenty-five years old, he had 219 hits, 24 home runs and 102 RBIs. His batting average was .349. You can see below that .349 was Derek Jeter’s career high with the Yankees. The…

The Facts Behind the Gender Pay Gap

Although the gender pay gap can be women earning 78 cents for every dollar a male earns, the data, depending on so many variables, is more complicated.

Will You Get Your Social Security Benefits?

The 2014 Social Security Trustees Report says that after we deplete the remains of the program’s trust funds in 2033, payroll taxes will not provide all promised benefits.

The Problem With Demand For Strawberries

Our Wednesday Environment Focus Every morning, with my yogurt, I enjoy a strawberry-grape smoothie and then later, writing this blog, I munch on almonds. And, like me, other baby boomers are buying more strawberries and raspberries, almonds and pistachios. The problem is…