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Beveridge curve was behind the curve in linking employment, inflation

Feb 1, 2024
A strong job market alongside cooling price gains has economists debating a key model, Bloomberg's Enda Curran reports.
The Beveridge Curve looks at the relationship between unemployment and job openings. Many economists thought joblessness would have to rise for inflation to cool, but recently that hasn't been the case.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Rising unemployment doesn't hit all parts of the labor force equally

Sep 14, 2023
Even a small increase in unemployment can result in disproportionate effects on marginalized groups.
As the unemployment rises, it'll be important to keep an eye on how much more it rises for vulnerable groups, says Betsey Stevenson of the University of Michigan.
Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images

Fading job prospects discourage younger Chinese workers

May 17, 2023
China's job market remains competitive as the economy recovers from zero-COVID. But some young people have lost their eagerness to compete.
Students at a job fair in Beijing last year. Unemployment among graduates has remained stubbornly high even though China has dismantled its zero-COVID policy.
Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images

Why more workers in China are ruling out factory jobs

Apr 17, 2023
Despite high unemployment among young people, most factories are short of workers. It might reflect false promises and poor conditions.
Production in progress at a factory in China's eastern Anhui province. Factory work has lost much of its popularity as a career choice. “The workers just don't trust factory owners,” one former employee said.
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Job hunting in China's slowing economy

Aug 15, 2022
The unemployment rate is high among young Chinese graduates. What does it take a get a job in such a tough economy?
A busy Shanghai job fair in 2018. Since then, unemployment among 16- to 24-year-olds has steadily climbed, reaching 19.9% last month.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

What the Beveridge curve tells us about the Fed's path to a “soft landing”

Jun 14, 2022
If you want to understand the challenge of slowing inflation without damaging the labor market, picture a skateboard ramp.
The Beveridge curve appears when you plot the relationship between unfilled jobs and unemployment — it shows how those two variables move together.
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Is it possible for unemployment numbers to be too low?

Apr 7, 2022
This week jobless claims were at their lowest since 1968. What's the economic downside of too few people looking for work?
The unemployment rate doesn't necessarily paint the whole jobs picture.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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Without teen workers, "we'd have to close our doors"

Nov 9, 2021
A hot job market continues to seek out teenagers. But will that hurt their academics and long-term job prospects?
Amid a labor shortage, the teenage employment rates remain high.
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Why are unemployment rates higher for Black and Hispanic workers?

Jun 22, 2021
Economists point to structural racism and a lack of access to training and transportation among the factors.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Real-time proof the job market is recovering

Apr 30, 2021
But it could take more than a year to get back to pre-pandemic levels.
Job postings are strongest in sectors like driving, construction and warehousing.
Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images