Unemployment is a complex socio-economic indicator that depends on a number of different factors. Official statistics are often criticized because they are calculated in a way that is more beneficial for the state and may not reflect the real situation. US unemployment statistics have their individual characteristics. In general, it is considered very low and gradually decreases.
US Living Standards
In general, the level of material well-being in the United States is considered quite high if we compare the situation in this country with the general situation in the world. Approximately half of the income of an average American family can be used for accumulation purposes, while the other goes to current expenses. Significant amounts are spent on paying for an apartment, food, and medical services. At the same time, various non-food products are cheap. Communication is quite expensive.
The cost of products in the United States (in terms of rubles) is significantly higher than in Russia. Moreover, the price ratio for different types of products is very different from ours. Much more expensive than in Russia, there are fruits, eggs, bread. The cost of milk and cheese is about the same.
Food costs between 80 and 90 US dollars per week. The cost of a taxi ride is much higher, and the price of gasoline is significantly lower than in Russia.
Some states mark up products. They are highest in California (18%). In other states, such as Idaho, food prices are lower than the national average. The cost of one dinner for two in public catering facilities will be about $ 10, and in a good restaurant - 4 to 5 times more.
Quite a significant cost of utilities. High levels of total taxes deducted from wages. In the US, they make up about a quarter of the patch. At the same time, there is a progressive taxation scale. In America, a lot of money goes to real estate.
In the US, medical services are especially expensive. This means that it is economically unprofitable to get sick in this country. Higher education is also paid and is not cheap. At the same time, people with higher education are much easier to find a job.
Demographic dynamics
Important for the employment situation is population dynamics. The number of US residents is constantly growing, on average by 1% per year. This may be due, inter alia, to an increase in life expectancy in this country, which is increasing by 0.5 - 1 year annually. The increase in life expectancy is associated with a decrease in mortality from diseases.
Employment statistics
The employment rate of people of working age in the United States is estimated at 67 percent, which corresponds to the average for Europe. Among Americans with higher education, this figure reaches 80. Employment in the EU countries is not so sensitive to the level of education. There are also gender differences in the employment structure in the USA. For women, this indicator is 62%, and for men - 71%. Among young people, 17.5% are unemployed. All this corresponds to the average European levels.
At the same time, salaries in the USA are higher than in Europe. For the year, the average American receives $ 54, 500, and, for example, in Poland - $ 19, 800 per year. Miserable, in comparison with these figures, salaries in the regions of Russia can not even be mentioned.
The difference between the wages of the poor and the rich is moderate at 2.95.
According to statistics, among the white population of this country, employment is much higher than among representatives of other races. It is also easier for white to get a job.
In recent years, in the United States it has become more difficult to find a job in a specialty, and for many years they have been living on benefits and savings before they get this opportunity.
The average time spent in the same position is about 4 years, and among young people - 2.9 years. The number of working pensioners is constantly increasing, which worsens the employment opportunities for young people. So, in the 80s of the 20th century, 18% of the total number of people of retirement age worked, and in 2015, 29%.
Unemployment in the USA - level, statistics
The average official unemployment rate in the United States is around 5%. The actual level is significantly higher, which is associated with the peculiarities of accounting for the unemployed. However, in any case, the data on unemployment in the United States are rather optimistic.
At the same time, more and more unemployed are leaving the labor exchange, registering disability, entering higher education institutions or simply stopping looking for a new job. The level of benefits in the United States is quite high, which allows it to exist without working anywhere at all. This is especially often used by migrants. Those who never found a job and stopped their search are not taken into account by statistics. There are 2.1 million such people in the USA. Such people receive special benefits and food stamps.
According to statistics, the total number of unemployed is up to 12%. This is the true unemployment rate in the United States. From 2007 to 2014 their number has doubled.
The share of people working in low-paid jobs is 48 million people. According to the Fed chairman, the real situation with US employment is worse than according to official state statistics. The highest unemployment rate among African Americans, Hispanics and young people. Among young people, the proportion of unemployed is 19.6%, slightly less than this proportion among immigrants from Africa. Moreover, the situation with unemployment in these categories of the population does not improve.
Many older people do not want to leave work, holding jobs that are less able-bodied and younger citizens. Now more and more young people with higher education are getting jobs in low-skilled specialties. The worst situation is with black residents of America. Among them, the poverty rate is 27 percent and tends to increase.
The largest increase in the number of jobs was noted in the field of retail trade, food production, in the field of healthcare, construction, in the field of business and services and, in part, in the industrial sector.
In total, 92 million Americans are unemployed. The number of people working full-time, according to some sources, is less than 50 percent.
Solving the problem of unemployment
US unemployment is tackled at the highest level. Measures are being taken to create new jobs. So, in 2014, 811, 000 new vacancies appeared in the country, but only for part-time jobs. At the same time, there is a reduction in full-time jobs. Thus, those who wish to work full time often cannot find a suitable job, as noted in the research report. Of the new jobs, ¾ is part-time jobs. From 2007 to 2014 their number has increased dramatically.
Comparison with Russia
If we compare the unemployment rate in Russia and in the USA, then it will be much higher in our country. This is due, among other things, to the fact that in our country far from all unemployed people are registered at the labor exchange. The actual unemployment rate in Russia is now very high.
Gender differences
In the past, the labor market was built in such a way that men were more in demand and could receive higher salaries. The country required a significant number of workers, builders and economists. These areas are much better mastered by men. Now the situation in the USA is changing and the demand for women in the labor market is growing. They more often get jobs related to services, trade, medicine, and education. At the same time, traditionally male professions are in less demand, and there are reductions. One of the tasks of the new US President Donald Trump was to revive these traditionally male spheres of activity, but in the long run he is unlikely to reverse the tendency.
Another difference between American women and men is their better adaptability to a changing situation. Men, by contrast, are conservative and committed to the usual rhythm of life and work. They are also more negative than women regarding the idea of changing their place of residence in order to find a better job. As a result, finding a suitable place is now easier for women than for men.
The attitude of Americans to work
According to statistics, in the United States a large number of people are unemployed by vocation, that is, in principle, they do not want to get a job. Especially often migrants do this. They draw up various benefits. Among the homeless in the United States, a significant percentage of those who knowingly chose for themselves such a life path.
In addition, statistics show a deterioration in the attitude of American citizens to their work. So, in 1987, at least 60% of the total number of residents were satisfied with it, and among people over 65 this figure reached 70.8%. Now the numbers are almost 20 percent lower.
The reasons for dissatisfaction with their work are standard: these are complaints about the high demands of the employer, insufficient salaries, low growth prospects, as well as personal characteristics of the leader. Many are also afraid of losing their jobs. Despite high salaries, in some American families, the loss of work of even one of the spouses can lead to serious financial problems. First of all, this, of course, applies to those who have (or rent) expensive housing, give their children to study at expensive universities, and have outstanding loans (a very common situation in the USA). It is also known that the country has too high prices for medical care.
US unemployment rate by years
The economic crisis of 2008-2009 was of great importance on the level of employment in the United States. So, until mid-2008, the unemployment rate did not reach 5 percent, but then it rose sharply, with a maximum level of 10% in the first months of 2010. After that, its level began to decline, and in March 2015 amounted to 5.3%. During this period, the number of jobs in the field of entertainment and tourism has increased sharply, and people began to travel more.
Some people who lost their jobs during the crisis have not been able to re-settle to date.
In recent years, there has been a decrease in unemployment in the United States. In March 2018, it was less than 5% in many states, with a minimum of 2.6 percent in Colorado. The highest rates are traditionally in Alaska - 7.3%. According to experts, this is due to historical reasons. The fall in unemployment is likely due to the protectionist policies of the new US President Donald Trump, who promised to create many new jobs.
