December Jobs Report

The labor market added 216,000 jobs in December. The Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the unemployment rate was 3.7% for the month, flat from the rate in November. The labor force participation rate ticked lower to 62.5%, down from 62.8%. Average weekly hours worked moved down slightly from 34.4 to 34.3.—finance.yahoo.com

Answer the following questions to check your understanding of the story.

1) Why was December’s unemployment rate unchanged from November?

December’s unemployment rate was unchanged from November’s unemployment rate because ______________.

a) 216,000 people entered the labor force

b) the percentage increases in the labor force and in the number unemployed were equal

c) the number unemployed did not change

d) the increases in the labor force and in the number unemployed were equal

2) What does the decrease in the labor force participation rate tell us?

The decrease in the labor force participation rate tells us that _____________.

a) the sum of unemployed and employed decreased

b) the employment-to-population rate also decreased

c) the percentage increase in the labor force exceeded the percentage increase in the working-age population

d) the percentage increase in the working-age population exceeded the percentage increase in the labor force

December Jobs Report

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