Wow! Changing the color of individual counties from light to dark, month by month, this graphic actively displays how the U.S. moved from a 4.6% unemployment rate during January 2007 to 9.7% during May, 2010. In 30 seconds it tells…
Jobs and Crocodiles
Hearing yesterday’s employment numbers, I recalled the Malaysian proverb, “Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.” Everyone is worried about crocodiles. Looking beneath the surface, the employment numbers could be troublesome. The water may look smooth…
Snow Storm Stats
According to Floyd Norris, snowy weather can affect job numbers. He explained that while the February employment report appears to represent the month of February, actually, it reflects one week in February—a week with horrible weather. Between February seven and…
Is The Unemployment Rate Accurate?
My class has wondered, with a civilian labor force of over 150 million people, how unemployment statistics can possibly be accurate. Tomorrow
Unemployment History
With unemployment data scheduled for a Friday release, it might be helpful to place the numbers in perspective. The Dallas Fed has illustrated the following conclusions through a series of graphs comparing employment trends now to past recessions. 1. The…
