6. During the first three months of 2009, the number of American workers counted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as being employed decreased by 2,451,000 (that is, by almost 2 1/2 million) yet, over the same period, the number of American workers counted by the BLS as being unemployed increased by only 2,053,000 (that is, by just a little more than 2 million). a. Explain briefly (no more than a sentence or two) how these two numbers can be consistent with one another. b. In light of the two statistics given above, would you say that the rise in the unemployment rate from 7.2 percent to 8.5 percent during the first three months of

Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List)
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305971509
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:N. Gregory Mankiw
Chapter15: Unemployment
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 4PA
icon
Related questions
Question
6. During the first three months of 2009, the number of American workers counted by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as being employed decreased by 2,451,000 (that is, by almost
2 1/2 million) yet, over the same period, the number of American workers counted by the
BLS as being unemployed increased by only 2,053,000 (that is, by just a little more than 2
million).
a. Explain briefly (no more than a sentence or two) how these two numbers can be
consistent with one another.
b. In light of the two statistics given above, would you say that the rise in the
unemployment rate from 7.2 percent to 8.5 percent during the first three months of
2009 overstates or understates the severity of the recession as felt by US workers?
Transcribed Image Text:6. During the first three months of 2009, the number of American workers counted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as being employed decreased by 2,451,000 (that is, by almost 2 1/2 million) yet, over the same period, the number of American workers counted by the BLS as being unemployed increased by only 2,053,000 (that is, by just a little more than 2 million). a. Explain briefly (no more than a sentence or two) how these two numbers can be consistent with one another. b. In light of the two statistics given above, would you say that the rise in the unemployment rate from 7.2 percent to 8.5 percent during the first three months of 2009 overstates or understates the severity of the recession as felt by US workers?
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Unemployment
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.
Recommended textbooks for you
Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305971509
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781285165912
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Brief Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Cours…
Brief Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Cours…
Economics
ISBN:
9781337091985
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Economics, 7th Edition (MindTap Cou…
Principles of Economics, 7th Edition (MindTap Cou…
Economics
ISBN:
9781285165875
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781337091992
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning