Record: 92,269,000 Not in Workforce - USA

[Chef Ramsay]

Record 92,269,000 Not in Labor Force; Participation Rate Matches 36-Year Low

(CNSNews.com) - A record 92,269,000 Americans 16 and older did not participate in the labor force in August, as the labor force participation rate matched a 36-year low of 62.8 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The labor force participation rate has been as low as 62.8 percent in six of the last twelve months, but prior to last October had not fallen that low since 1978.

BLS employment statistics are based on the civilian noninstitutional population, which consists of all people 16 or older who were not in the military or an institution such as a prison, mental hospital or nursing home.

In August, the civilian noninstitutional population was 248,229,000 according to BLS. Of that 248,229,000, 155,959,000—or 62.8 percent--participated in the labor force, meaning they either had or job or had actively sought one in the last four weeks.

More...http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/ali-meyer/record-92269000-not-labor-force-participation-rate-matches-36-year-low

So, of the noninstitutional population the real unemployment number is 37.2% but this probably doesn't factor in retired folks that are either on pensions or social security or both that don't need extra income although increasingly some do and are looking for other work.

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[itsAj]

This is why the unemployment figure is so misleading. The labor force participation rate has been decreasing since right before the unemployment rate started to decrease, and right before people's unemployment benefits started to run out. I think that many people simply used up 2 years worth of unemployment and then dropped out of the workforce and likely tried to claim disability because Obama's liberal policies encouraged this kind of behavior.

If we had more pro growth policies then we would not have such a high level of real unemployment.

[Fabrizio89]

That's astounding. There's a similar misrepresentation of figures in Europe aswell anyway. In Italy in particular they say we have "just" 19% unemployement, but this doesn't take in account every person which is not actively looking for a job. Including them in the equation brings the rate to almost 30%. Media reports a 25% unemployement in men between 18-26 years, but including everyone who is not looking for a job nor studying, so effectively doing nothing, brings the rate to almost 40%.

[pawel7777]

The 92,269,000 who did not participate in the labor force are those in the civilian noninstitutional population who did not have a job and did not actively seek one in the last four weeks. Because they did not seek a job, they did not count as “unemployed.”

So this number doesn't even include unemployed who are actively looking for a job?? But it seems to include all the students 16+... Bit confused what's the purpose of such stats...

[niothor]

The 92,269,000 who did not participate in the labor force are those in the civilian noninstitutional population who did not have a job and did not actively seek one in the last four weeks. Because they did not seek a job, they did not count as “unemployed.”

So this number doesn't even include unemployed who are actively looking for a job?? But it seems to include all the students 16+... Bit confused what's the purpose of such stats...

It's to bring in the panic. There are a lot of kids 16+ who don't need to work till they finish college and a lot who will seek a job after they reach 18.

And the ending is plain stupid.

The 146,368,000 people employed in the United States in August was up 16,000 from the 146,352,000 who were employed in July.

[panju1]

The 92,269,000 who did not participate in the labor force are those in the civilian noninstitutional population who did not have a job and did not actively seek one in the last four weeks. Because they did not seek a job, they did not count as “unemployed.”

So this number doesn't even include unemployed who are actively looking for a job?? But it seems to include all the students 16+... Bit confused what's the purpose of such stats...

I guess if it excludes people who are not seeking jobs, then students will automatically get excluded.

[itsAj]

The 92,269,000 who did not participate in the labor force are those in the civilian noninstitutional population who did not have a job and did not actively seek one in the last four weeks. Because they did not seek a job, they did not count as “unemployed.”

So this number doesn't even include unemployed who are actively looking for a job?? But it seems to include all the students 16+... Bit confused what's the purpose of such stats...

Students who are "16+" are part of the workforce as they tend to try to find part time, unskilled work. The purpose of this statistic is to try to determine the amount of slack in the workforce. Under normal circumstances this would also measure the health of the economy and the labor market, however there are more incentives then usual now for people not to work. 

[pawel7777]

The 92,269,000 who did not participate in the labor force are those in the civilian noninstitutional population who did not have a job and did not actively seek one in the last four weeks. Because they did not seek a job, they did not count as “unemployed.”

So this number doesn't even include unemployed who are actively looking for a job?? But it seems to include all the students 16+... Bit confused what's the purpose of such stats...

I guess if it excludes people who are not seeking jobs, then students will automatically get excluded.

No, the 92,269,000 only includes people who are not looking for a job. So students are automatically included (except for those employed or actively looking for a job).

These stats are very confusing. Some may see them as showing real/hidden unemployment rate, some may interpret them as indicator of wealth (a growing number of people who can afford not to work). Potentially so many different people are included in that number (from criminals, through people taking care of home while their partners provide for whole family, to millionaires) that I don't know whether the increase is good or bad.

[BitCoinNutJob]

what about self employed or people who are self employed but earn under the tax threshold

[peeveepee]

Just curious what those unemployed do to bring food to the table once the unemployment benefit run out.

[jaberwock]

How is the unemployment stuff calculated?

I guess anyone working for Bitcoins(I consider true jobs, like working as a developer for an exchange, or a marketer for some gambling site, not living from forum posting) are counted as not employed. Same for the informal economy. But how far the not employed but with ways to earn money goes?

And why people NEED to have whatever they define as job to survive?? Are people outside their patterns considered as a danger or what?

[dadugan]

How is the unemployment stuff calculated?

I guess anyone working for Bitcoins(I consider true jobs, like working as a developer for an exchange, or a marketer for some gambling site, not living from forum posting) are counted as not employed. Same for the informal economy. But how far the not employed but with ways to earn money goes?

And why people NEED to have whatever they define as job to survive?? Are people outside their patterns considered as a danger or what?

People who think outside the box or act not according to social norm are usually considered a threat by either government or community.

How long was it ago when it was widely believe earth is flat and anyone who think otherwise will be burn at stake?

[DrG]

From Skid Row to Wall Street handouts are available at every corner.  Why bother wasting time working?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OQjlzh279E

[spazzdla]

Like it or not taxes must be paid to support your country and the ones not working.  If they are in college and not working they are not contributing and are sucking back money.

(Amount of people in country - workers) / amount of people in country = employment %.  ANYTHING else is BULLSH*T.

[iluvpie60]

The 92,269,000 who did not participate in the labor force are those in the civilian noninstitutional population who did not have a job and did not actively seek one in the last four weeks. Because they did not seek a job, they did not count as “unemployed.”

So this number doesn't even include unemployed who are actively looking for a job?? But it seems to include all the students 16+... Bit confused what's the purpose of such stats...

It's to bring in the panic. There are a lot of kids 16+ who don't need to work till they finish college and a lot who will seek a job after they reach 18.

And the ending is plain stupid.

The 146,368,000 people employed in the United States in August was up 16,000 from the 146,352,000 who were employed in July.

Yes, but the issue is that so many of these jobs are part time jobs. and dont try and argue with me about this, my girlfriend who works at a group home that takes care of the mentally ill had her hours cut so they didnt have to give her healthcare, next year she will have NO healthcare because of obamacare and she will NOT be able to afford it since she works and does not qualify for anything.


he employers directly told her because of obama care she has to work less than 28 hours per week, she used to work 32 hours a week and now they basically force all of these people to work 24 hours and then u gotta leave as soona s it gets to 24 hours. so guess what, the number of jobs goes up and more ppl are hired and u gota more people working less hours with no healthcare.

this is happening all over where i live and i have other friends who this happened to them to. thank god i got a full time salaried job and am ok.

[kuroman]

it's not only the US, the EU as well is suffering, but I didn't think it was that bad for the US with all the news about the industry picking up speed, and silicon valey reaching new records, and with the unleash of the schist oil industry (which destroys the environment but who cares ) there was a boost to employement in the US