Question

Using a broader measure of the unemployment rate where discourages workers and part-time workers who wished wo work full time were counted as unemployed, the BLS estimates the unemployment rate in Sept. 2011 would have _____ compared to the measured unemployment rate

Answer 1

The BLS's broader measure of the unemployment rate, which includes discouraged workers and part-time workers seeking full-time employment, would show an increased unemployment rate for September 2011 compared to the officially measured rate.

Step-by-step explanation:

Using a broader measure of the unemployment rate where discouraged workers and part-time workers who wish to work full time are counted as unemployed, the BLS estimates the unemployment rate in September 2011 would have increased compared to the measured unemployment rate. This is because the standard measure does not account for those who have stopped looking for work out of discouragement, nor does it fully represent the underemployment of those who are working part-time but desire full-time positions.

Problems with using the standard unemployment rate as an accurate measure of overall joblessness include the exclusion of discouraged workers, undercounting of certain demographics (youngest and oldest workers, the chronically unemployed like the homeless), and seasonal and migrant workers. This leads to an underrepresentation of the true scope of unemployment within the economy.