Unemployment rates are severely under tracked.

[JWS]

TheRealMafoo said:

JWS said:

The unemployment rate in america is figured by counting the people receiving unemployment benefits.

Sorry, but that's not how it works.

http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm

You can get an unemployment check, and not be looking for a job. If you are not looking for a job, you are not part of the equation. So if you have a country of 3 people, 1 working, 1 looking for a job on unemployment, and 1 not looking for a job on unemployment, your unemployment rate would be calculated at 50%, not the 66% it should be.

When you sign up for your weekly checks if you answer that you have not been looking for work you lose your benefits and are not considered unemployed.