It's my understanding that the unemployment statistics are based on the number of people collecting unemployment, not on the percentage of the population who do or do not have jobs.
It's my understanding that the unemployment statistics are based on the number of people collecting unemployment, not on the percentage of the population who do or do not have jobs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the unemployment rate based upon two surveys, one of households and one of businesses. The statistic is intended to represent the number of people actively seeking work divided by the total labor force. Here's a FAQ.