
This translates into approximately 110,000 individuals each month,Ī large sample compared to public opinion surveys, which usually cover fewer than 2,000 people. There are about 60,000 eligible households in the sample for this survey. More comprehensive and relevant information. In 1994, for instance, the CPS underwent a major redesign in order to computerize the interview process as well as to obtain Has been expanded and modified several times since then. Census Bureau took over responsibility for the CPS. United States every month since 1940, when it began as a Work Projects Administration program. The government conducts a monthly survey called the Current Population Survey (CPS) to measure the extent of unemployment in the country. In addition, people would soon grow tired of having a census taker contact themĮvery month, year after year, to ask about job-related activities.īecause unemployment insurance records relate only to people who have applied for such benefits, and since it is impractical to count every unemployed person each month,

This procedure would cost way too much and take far too long to produce the data. To do this, every home in the country would have to be contacted-just as in the population censusĮvery 10 years. Other people think that the government counts every unemployed person each month. So, quite clearly, UI informationĬannot be used as a source for complete information on the number of unemployed. But some people are still jobless when their benefits run out, and many more are not eligible at all or delay or never apply for benefits.

Some people think that to get these figures on unemployment, the government uses the number of people collecting unemployment insurance (UI) benefits under state or federal government That is unemployed-receive wide coverage in the media. These figures, particularly the unemployment rate-which tells you the percentage of the labor force In the United States for the previous month, along with many characteristics about them. Department of Labor announces the total number of employed and unemployed people Of the economy or to aid those affected by joblessness.Įarly each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. These statistics-together with other economic data-can be used by policymakers to determine whether measures should be taken to influence the future course How long have they been unemployed? Are their numbers growing or declining? Are they men or women? Are they young or old?Īre they White, or Black, or Asian, or of Hispanic ethnicity? How much education do they have? Are they concentrated in one area of the country more than another? How many people are unemployed? How did they become unemployed? In addition, the purchasing power of these workers is lost, which can lead to unemployment for yet other workers.Īddressing the issue of unemployment requires information about the extent and nature of the problem.

Workers and their families lose wages, and the country loses the goods or services When workers are unemployed, they, their families, and the country as a whole lose. Top Why does the government collect statistics on the unemployed?
