The frequently asked questions (FAQs) provided below highlight topics and specific questions that partners often ask IDES.
National unemployment rates are developed through a monthly sample survey of about 60,000 households known as the Current Population Survey. The Census Bureau collects data on the employment status of each working age resident (16 years and older) for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Individuals included in the survey are categorized as either employed, unemployed or not in the labor force.
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Data on the number of unemployed who have exhausted their Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits is captured through a monthly household survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The household survey classifies as unemployed anyone who was without a job but available and actively looking for work sometime during the four week period ending with the reference week (usually the week including the 12th). This survey does not include a requirement or question related to UI benefits.
The following page has unemployment rates for the most current, previous and year-ago months at Current Monthly Unemployment Rates. You can find in a single report current, previous and year-ago monthly unemployment rates for all areas at Monthly Unemployment Reports.