Common questions about Unemployment

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What was the unemployment rate in Germany in 1933?

The unemployment rate in Germany exceeded 20 percent in 1933. This high rate created a desperate landscape that allowed Adolf Hitler to rise to power and ignite World War II.

How does cyclical unemployment differ from structural unemployment?

Cyclical unemployment occurs when there is not enough aggregate demand in the economy to provide jobs for everyone who wants to work. Structural unemployment arises from a mismatch between the skills of the unemployed and the skills needed for available jobs.

What health effects are linked to a 10 percent increase in unemployment?

For every 10 percent increase in the number of unemployed, there is a 1.7 percent increase in cardiovascular disease and a 1.7 percent increase in suicides. Unemployed individuals also experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

How many people were unemployed in the United Kingdom during Margaret Thatcher's 1983 election?

Unemployment in the United Kingdom rose from 1.5 million to 3.2 million during the period leading up to the 1983 general election. Margaret Thatcher won the 1983 general election despite overseeing this rise in unemployment.

How does the International Labour Organization define unemployed workers?

The International Labour Organization defines unemployed workers as those who are currently not working but are willing and able to work for pay. They must be currently available to work and have actively searched for work.

What was the purpose of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression?

The Works Progress Administration was established during the Great Depression to provide jobs for the unemployed. It offered jobs with harsh conditions and poor wages to dissuade their use.