Unemployment News
The Daily Signal provides news and analysis on unemployment rates, labor participation, and the policies shaping economic opportunity.
-
How This GOP Governor Cut His State’s Unemployment Rate in Half
When Florida Gov. Rick Scott took over as the Sunshine State’s chief executive in 2011, the state’s economy was struggling—unemployment hovered around 11 percent, Florida’s tourism industry was suffering and the state had added $5.2 billion to its debt. Now, as Scott heads into his fifth year serving as governor, he’s touting the successes he’s…Melissa Quinn -
New Jobs Added in October, but Long-Term Unemployment Remains a Serious Problem
The October jobs report showed the economy growing robustly in October—a marked turnaround from September’s disappointing numbers. The payroll survey reported that employers added 271,000 net new jobs in October, almost double the number of net jobs created in September. The household survey found unemployment falling slightly to 5.0 percent—the lowest since early 2008. Digging…James Sherk -
June Unemployment Rate Drop Can Be Explained by Americans Dropping Out of Work Force
Today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ jobs report showed solid but not spectacular labor market growth in June. The payroll survey showed net employment jumping by 223,000 jobs while the household survey reported unemployment falling to 5.3 percent—a drop entirely driven by falling labor force participation. A smaller proportion of Americans are working or looking for…James Sherk -
After Baltimore, What We Can Do to Rescue Families Trapped in Cultures of Violence, Despair and Joblessness
The scenes of Baltimore set ablaze have many Americans thinking: What can be done to rescue families trapped in an inner-city culture of violence, despair and joblessness? There are no easy answers, but down the road from Baltimore in Washington, D.C., an education program is giving children in poor neighborhoods a big lift up. The…Stephen Moore -
April Jobs Report: Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Level Since 2008
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ April jobs report contained modestly encouraging economic news. The payroll survey showed employers added just under a quarter million net new jobs in the month while the household survey reported unemployment falling to 5.4 percent—its lowest level since mid-2008. On the whole, the report provided a positive counterpoint to recent…James Sherk -
In February, Jobs Added and Unemployment Rate Dropped
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment report found robust economic growth continued in February. Employers added 295,000 net new jobs while unemployment dropped to 5.5 percent. Employment expanded across many industries while wage growth remained moderate. The household survey reported the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points. This largely happened because 354,000 Americans left the…James Sherk -
How Much Did Extended Unemployment Insurance Increase Unemployment?
It is well-established in theory and practice that unemployment insurance increases unemployment. But by how much? A new working paper by well-known labor economists found that canceling the unemployment benefit extension a year ago caused an “employment miracle” as large as 1.8 million net new jobs in 2014. Although improvements to the methodology and data…Salim Furth -
Obama Is Likely to Trumpet the Unemployment Rate Tonight. What the Real Story Is.
In a video previewing his State of the Union address, President Obama touted recent jobs numbers. “Last year was the best job growth we had seen since the 1990s,” he said, “The unemployment rate’s now dropped to 5.6 percent.” But there’s more to the story. Despite the falling unemployment rate, long-term unemployment remains high at…Salim Furth -
Find Out How Your State Ranks When Measured by Unemployment
The U.S. Department of Labor recently released its latest report identifying state-by-state unemployment rates, based on current population data. In 31 states, unemployment rates among workers ages 15 and older declined between August and September 2014. Take a look at the numbers below to see how your state stacks up. STATE…Gabriella Morrongiello -
Scott Walker Proposes Drug Testing for Those Filing for Unemployment Benefits, Food Stamps
MADISON, Wis. — Three years ago, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co. Inc. was begging for workers and struggling to hire candidates who could simply pass a drug test. Good jobs, paying $15 to $20 per hour, went unfilled. The company even hesitated to expand because it could not find enough drug-free applicants. Times have changed. Company president Jim…M.D. Kittle -
Unemployment Benefit Checks Sent to People Who Weren’t Signed Up for Them
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Workforce Development may have trouble managing money, but its management understands the importance of politeness. In early March, the agency, which oversees unemployment claims in the state, issued unemployment benefits to 85 people who didn’t ask for them. According to a March 13 email sent by Regional Operations Manager David…Paul Brennan -
38 Years of Your State’s Unemployment Data Displayed in One Map
A new map—presented as a GIF—is putting unemployment rates in historical context. Courtesy of Metric Maps, the image shows how unemployment rates have changed state-by-state from 1976 to 2014. From the economic downturn in the late 1970s and early 1980s to the oil boom that has lowered the unemployment rate in North Dakota to national lows, the evolution of…Melissa Quinn -
Animated U.S. Maps Show Unemployment Changes Under Last 6 Presidents
The latest unemployment report released this month revealed rare "good news" about the U.S. labor market. The 6.1 percent unemployment rate marked an all-time low since the 2008 recession. Although June’s report indicates an encouraging sign for the job market, that hasn't always been the case under President Obama. A series of interactive maps—from Jimmy Carter's…Natalie Johnson