The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) adjusts the numbers from the household survey to estimate the employment picture for the entire population. Once the adjustment is made, the BLS uses the figures to generate key employment indicators. The following table presents information from the household surveys conducted for November 2017 and, for purposes of comparison, November 2016. The numbers in the table are listed in thousands. For example, the number of unemployed in the table for November 2017 indicates that about 6.6 million people were unemployed at that time.

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
Publisher:NEWNAN
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
icon
Related questions
Question
To get a more accurate picture of underemployment in the economy, the BLS calculates several alternative measures of labor underutilization:
• The U-1 measure of labor underutilization measures the percentage of the labor force that has been unemployed for 15 weeks or
2,929
more at the time of the household survey. In November 2016, U-1 was 159,457 × 100 = 1.8%.
• Another measure, the U-4 measure of labor underutilization, treats discouraged workers as though they were unemployed and
part of the labor force. To calculate U-4, the BLS divides the sum of unemployed and discouraged workers by the sum of the labor
force and discouraged workers. In November 2016, U-4 was 159,457+5,837 100
7,409+5,837
x 100 = 8.0%.
Based on the numbers in the previous table, indicate whether each of the following statements accurately describes the differences in the employment
situation between November 2016 and November 2017.
Statement
The U-1 and U-4 measures of labor underutilization were lower in November 2017 than they were in November 2016.
A smaller number of jobless people who wanted a job and were available to work had given up on their job search in November
2017 compared to November 2016.
The typical unemployed worker in November 2017 was more likely to have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more than the
typical unemployed worker in November 2016.
A smaller fraction of the civilian noninstitutional population was in the labor force in November 2017 than in November 2016.
In November 2017, a larger fraction of the civilian noninstitutional population was employed than in November 2016.
True
O
Excluding discouraged workers from the official unemployment rate may cause the official rate to
underemployment.
O
▼ the true extent of
The official unemployment rate and the U-4 measure of labor underutilization are two different measures of joblessness in the economy.
O
O
False
O
O O
O
O
O
Transcribed Image Text:To get a more accurate picture of underemployment in the economy, the BLS calculates several alternative measures of labor underutilization: • The U-1 measure of labor underutilization measures the percentage of the labor force that has been unemployed for 15 weeks or 2,929 more at the time of the household survey. In November 2016, U-1 was 159,457 × 100 = 1.8%. • Another measure, the U-4 measure of labor underutilization, treats discouraged workers as though they were unemployed and part of the labor force. To calculate U-4, the BLS divides the sum of unemployed and discouraged workers by the sum of the labor force and discouraged workers. In November 2016, U-4 was 159,457+5,837 100 7,409+5,837 x 100 = 8.0%. Based on the numbers in the previous table, indicate whether each of the following statements accurately describes the differences in the employment situation between November 2016 and November 2017. Statement The U-1 and U-4 measures of labor underutilization were lower in November 2017 than they were in November 2016. A smaller number of jobless people who wanted a job and were available to work had given up on their job search in November 2017 compared to November 2016. The typical unemployed worker in November 2017 was more likely to have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more than the typical unemployed worker in November 2016. A smaller fraction of the civilian noninstitutional population was in the labor force in November 2017 than in November 2016. In November 2017, a larger fraction of the civilian noninstitutional population was employed than in November 2016. True O Excluding discouraged workers from the official unemployment rate may cause the official rate to underemployment. O ▼ the true extent of The official unemployment rate and the U-4 measure of labor underutilization are two different measures of joblessness in the economy. O O False O O O O O O
4. Key employment indicators from the household survey
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) adjusts the numbers from the household survey to estimate the employment picture for the entire population.
Once the adjustment is made, the BLS uses the figures to generate key employment indicators.
The following table presents information from the household surveys conducted for November 2017 and, for purposes of comparison, November 2016.
The numbers in the table are listed in thousands. For example, the number of unemployed in the table for November 2017 indicates that about 6.6
million people were unemployed at that time.
Use the information lists that follow the table to help you fill in the missing values in the table.
Civilian noninstitutional population
Civilian labor force
Participation rate
Employed
Employment-population ratio
Unemployed
Official unemployment rate
Unemployed 15 weeks or more
U-1 labor underutilization
Discouraged workers
U-4 labor underutilization
November
2016
254,540
159,457
62.6%
152,048
59.7%
7,409
4.6%
2,929
1.8%
5,837
8.0%
2017
255,949
161,327
153,918
6,610
2,514
%
5,238
%
%
%
The following list shows you how to compute the statistics most commonly used to indicate the health of an economy:
• The participation rate is the percentage of the working-age population in the labor force-either employed or searching for
159,457
employment. In November 2016, the participation rate was x 100 = 62.6%.
254,540
• The employment-population ratio is the percentage of the working-age population that is employed. In November 2016, the
152,048
employment-population ratio was
x 100 = 59.7%.
254,540
• The official unemployment rate is the percentage of the labor force that does not have a job but is actively searching for
7,409
employment. In November 2016, the official unemployment rate was 159,457 x 100 = 4.6%.
Transcribed Image Text:4. Key employment indicators from the household survey The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) adjusts the numbers from the household survey to estimate the employment picture for the entire population. Once the adjustment is made, the BLS uses the figures to generate key employment indicators. The following table presents information from the household surveys conducted for November 2017 and, for purposes of comparison, November 2016. The numbers in the table are listed in thousands. For example, the number of unemployed in the table for November 2017 indicates that about 6.6 million people were unemployed at that time. Use the information lists that follow the table to help you fill in the missing values in the table. Civilian noninstitutional population Civilian labor force Participation rate Employed Employment-population ratio Unemployed Official unemployment rate Unemployed 15 weeks or more U-1 labor underutilization Discouraged workers U-4 labor underutilization November 2016 254,540 159,457 62.6% 152,048 59.7% 7,409 4.6% 2,929 1.8% 5,837 8.0% 2017 255,949 161,327 153,918 6,610 2,514 % 5,238 % % % The following list shows you how to compute the statistics most commonly used to indicate the health of an economy: • The participation rate is the percentage of the working-age population in the labor force-either employed or searching for 159,457 employment. In November 2016, the participation rate was x 100 = 62.6%. 254,540 • The employment-population ratio is the percentage of the working-age population that is employed. In November 2016, the 152,048 employment-population ratio was x 100 = 59.7%. 254,540 • The official unemployment rate is the percentage of the labor force that does not have a job but is actively searching for 7,409 employment. In November 2016, the official unemployment rate was 159,457 x 100 = 4.6%.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 5 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Stock
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Economics
ISBN:
9780190931919
Author:
NEWNAN
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Economics
ISBN:
9781259290619
Author:
Michael Baye, Jeff Prince
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education