Final answer:
The unemployment rate is calculated as the ratio of unemployed persons to the labor force, with an example rate being 9.6%. Over the long term, the U.S. unemployment rate has not shown a significant upward trend despite various economic changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question deals with the concept of unemployment rate, which is defined as the number of unemployed persons as a percentage of the labor force. An example of this calculation is 14.8 unemployed persons out of 153.9 in the labor force, which equals a 9.6% unemployment rate. Over time, despite fluctuations during economic downturns and expansions, the long-term U.S. unemployment rate has remained relatively stable. It is also important to note that certain subgroups like non-White individuals, the young, and those with a high school education may experience higher rates of unemployment compared to other sections of the population.