Changes

Some people think that to get figures on unemployment the Government uses the number of persons filing claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits under State or Federal Government programs. 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. So the Government conducts a monthly sample survey called the Current Population Survey (CPS) to measure the extent of unemployment in the country. The CPS has been conducted in the United States every month since 1940 when it began as a Work Projects Administration project. [http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm]

Some people think that to get figures on unemployment the Government uses the number of persons filing claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits under State or Federal Government programs. 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. So the Government conducts a monthly sample survey called the Current Population Survey (CPS) to measure the extent of unemployment in the country. The CPS has been conducted in the United States every month since 1940 when it began as a Work Projects Administration project. [http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm]

Three types of unemployment can be distinguished by their causes. '''Frictional''' unemployment is the normal churning of the job market; people enter the labor force from school or home, and spend time looking for the best job. '''Seasonal''' unemployment refers to jobs that operate at certain seasons, especially in the construction and tourism industries. Teachers in the summertime are not counted as unemployed. The '''"normal unemployment rate'''" (frictional plus seasonal) is about 3% to 4%.  '''[[Unemployment insurance]]''' is designed to help people face frictional and seasonal unemployment. It  permits them to keep their skills rather than take a low-skilled job. 

Three types of unemployment can be distinguished by their causes. '''Frictional''' unemployment is the normal churning of the job market; people enter the labor force from school or home, and spend time looking for the best job. '''Seasonal''' unemployment refers to jobs that operate at certain seasons, especially in the construction and tourism industries. Teachers in the summertime are not counted as unemployed. The '''"normal unemployment rate'''" (frictional plus seasonal) is about 3% to 4%.  '''[[Unemployment insurance]]''' is designed to help people face frictional and seasonal unemployment.

'''Structural''' unemployment means a mis-match of jobs and workers. For example, there may be jobs in the cities and unemployment in mining or logging areas, but people are reluctant to move because of family ties.  There may be jobs available in some fields but people who are unemployed lack the necessary skills. This is a structural problem solved by migration, job training and education. Some structural unemployment is caused by policies such as the [[minimum wage]].

'''Structural''' unemployment means a mis-match of jobs and workers. For example, there may be jobs in the cities and unemployment in mining or logging areas, but people are reluctant to move because of family ties.  There may be jobs available in some fields but people who are unemployed lack the necessary skills. This is a structural problem solved by migration, job training and education. Some structural unemployment is caused by policies such as the [[minimum wage]].