Article Summary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment
rate fell from 7.4 percent in July 2013 to 7.3 percent in August, and at the same
time the labor force participation rate fell to its lowest level in 35 years, from 63.4
percent to 63.2 percent. The decrease in the labor force participation rate was due
to a decline in the size of the workforce of about 300,000 people. A large portion of
the job growth in August was in the food service and retail sectors, areas which
typically account for part-time and lower-paying jobs. On a brighter note, the
average number of hours worked per week rose slightly, as did average hourly
earnings and temporary employment.
Source: Peter Coy, “Not Looking for Work: Labor-Force Participation Hits
35-Year Low,” BloombergBusinessweek, September 6, 2013.
Explain how the labor force declining by 300,000 people could have led to the decrease
in the unemployment rate.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not count discouraged workers as unemployed.
Suppose discouraged workers were counted as unemployed. Explain how the
unemployment rate and the labor force participation rate would change.