There is so much “financial media” hype and angst on small moves in the unemployment rate that you really must be careful to not get caught up in the “noise” …

I saw this graphic, and it made me ponder a number of items:

  • What is the “participation rate” and why is it important?
  • Working age unemployables?
  • Who counts as unemployed?
    • In the U.S., an unemployment rate of around 5% or lower indicates full employment, as it allows for some frictional and structural unemployment while minimizing inflation. This level suggests that most individuals who want to work can find employment.
    • Other searches said the U.S. unemployment rate that is often considered indicative of full employment in the 4% to 5.5% range.
  • The percentage of people under age 65 who are not in the labor force also varies:
    • Group                                     Not in Labor Force
    • People with Disabilities 27,010,000
    • People without Disabilities 75,129,000
  • Approximately 35% of prime-age adults not looking for work cite disability or serious illness as the main reason for not being employed.

Asking for a friend: How many of that 35% are not looking for work because they have scammed the safety net system of taxpayer funded benefits?

If you got this far, pull up a Red State Vs Blue State map side by side. Any similarities?

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