Then what IS the case?
The unemployment figures get spun so many different ways to suit whoever's agenda at the moment someone is trying to push.
Originally Posted by GP
Not really. The actual number that gets reported each month has been calculated consistently going back to, i believe, shortly after WWII. And at no time has the number of people receiving unemployment benefits been part of that equation. Number of people working, and number of people who aren't working but are actively seeking employment, whether they are receiving benefits or not. That's it.
What gets spun is all the other stuff. Quality of the jobs, whether the number goes up or down because of dormant people becoming active job seekers (or active job seekers just giving up and going dormant)...those sorts of items.